Two separate groups of teens and young adults got lost in Batam’s scenic forest trails
What began as a casual adventure turned into a night-long rescue operation in Telaga Bidadari, Batam, after 12 individuals, mostly teenagers, were reported missing in the forest. The coordinated search involved police, SAR, and local volunteers.
Two Rescue Incidents in One Day
Telaga Bidadari, a lush natural escape in Sekupang, Batam, became the center of an intense rescue mission on Sunday, 13 July 2025. Two different groups of explorers — mostly teenagers and young adults — were reported missing after losing their way in the forest as night fell.
In the first incident, four teens from Batam — Syahdar (17), Dirga (17), Alda (17), and Rinaldi (17) — entered the forest at 5 PM without a guide or proper supplies. By 6 PM, they realized they were lost and called a friend, who then contacted Batam’s Fire Department. The distress call quickly reached Basarnas Tanjungpinang.
SAR Team Battled Darkness and Terrain
Responding to the alert, a six-member SAR team from Batam was deployed, arriving at the scene around 8:25 PM. Equipped with standard search and rescue tools, including medical kits and communication gear, the team launched an intensive search despite poor lighting and challenging terrain. The four teens were found safe but exhausted at 12:39 AM on Monday, 14 July.
According to Dedius Sembiring, Commander of Pos SAR Batam, the rescue was successful due to rapid coordination and precise location sharing. “They were lucky to have reached out early. Without that call, the situation could’ve been worse,” he said.
A Larger Group, A Wider Operation
In a separate but related incident, 12 other adventurers also got lost in the same forest area. Entering around 3 PM, the group — none of whom had prior trekking experience — became disoriented after dark. In panic, one member, Syahdar, sent a voice note and GPS coordinates via WhatsApp, which a friend forwarded to the Call Center 110 Polresta Barelang.
Police and rescue teams including Basarnas, BP Batam, and the Ditpolairud Polda Kepri were mobilized. By 1:30 AM, all members had been located and safely evacuated, though some had managed to exit earlier or left due to fatigue. Among those found were Erlangga (20), Aldo (17), Dirga (16), Reynaldy (16), and Rehan (14).
Lessons from the Wild
Authorities emphasized the dangers of exploring natural areas without preparation. “Nature is not a playground,” Dedius warned. “Always inform someone, bring a guide, and be aware of your surroundings.”
Kapolsek Sei Beduk, Iptu Alex Yasral, added that inexperienced hikers should never enter Telaga Bidadari without daylight, guidance, or proper lighting equipment. His message was clear: “Don’t risk your life for a casual outing.”
Scenic Yet Perilous
Despite its beauty, Telaga Bidadari poses serious risks due to its undeveloped paths and lack of signage. The incident highlights the urgent need for local authorities to improve trail safety, implement clearer signposting, and possibly enforce guide requirements for visitors.
These back-to-back rescue operations at Telaga Bidadari reveal a growing issue as more people seek nature escapes without proper safety awareness. For Indonesians and Singaporeans who frequently visit Batam for weekend trips, this incident serves as a stark reminder: preparation is key, and natural beauty must be respected with caution.
Sources: Batam Pos (2025) , Batam News (2025)
Keywords: Telaga Bidadari, Lost Teenagers, Batam Rescue, SAR Batam, Call Center 110, Batam Forest
