A Norwegian tourist has been deported from Bali after illegally climbing Mount Agung without a guide. Authorities said he ignored warnings and tricked local officers before being expelled from Indonesia.
A 41-year-old Norwegian citizen, identified by his initials BG, was deported from the Island of the Gods by the Singaraja Immigration Office. BG was expelled for defying regulations that require climbers to be accompanied by a guide when ascending Mount Agung in Karangasem. BG was caught climbing the mountain without a guide on the 15th of February.
“After receiving the report, we immediately sent a team to the location and secured the foreigner concerned for further examination at the office,” said the Head of the Singaraja Immigration Office, Hendra Setiawan, on Monday, the 24th of February.
Setiawan divulged that local authorities had previously advised BG not to climb Mount Agung without a guide due to safety concerns. This aligns with the Circular of the Forestry and Environmental Service Number B.24.500.4.1/95/UPTD.KPHBT/DKLH of 2025, mandates that climbers must be accompanied by a local guide. The rule applies to all tourists, including foreign nationals.
“However, BG deceived the local officers. He even had time to document the prohibition banner, but still ignored it,” Setiawan added.
Investigations revealed that BG had entered Indonesia on the 2nd of February via I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. He was holding a visitor visa on arrival (VoA) that is valid until the 3rd of March. Despite his valid residence permit, BG was nonetheless deported, effectively on Thursday, the 20th of February, for violating climbing regulations. The deportation process was supervised by the Singaraja Immigration Office until BG boarded the plane.
“The person concerned was subject to immigration administrative action in the form of deportation and deterrence,” Setiawan concluded.