British Tourist Harrison Edward Nada Kontounas Missing off Bali Coast
A search operation is ongoing for a British holidaymaker, Harrison Edward Nada Kontounas, 23, who went missing off the coast of Bali, Indonesia. Kontounas, from Ilford, east London, reportedly disappeared while swimming at Legian Beach, one of Bali’s popular tourist spots.
Incident Details
Kontounas was swimming with two friends on Wednesday when strong ocean currents are believed to have pulled him under the water. According to Bali’s search and rescue authorities in Denpasar, the incident occurred in the early evening. The victim’s friend, Freddie Palmer, who was present at the time, voiced concerns about the timeliness and effectiveness of the rescue efforts.
Concerns Raised by Friends
Palmer stated that lifeguards reportedly took three hours to arrive at the scene following the incident. Furthermore, he and other friends financed a helicopter search costing approximately £1,700 but no signs of Kontounas have yet been found. “We are traumatised,” Palmer said, expressing frustration and saying he believed quicker action by authorities might have saved their friend.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Denpasar’s Search and Rescue team has been actively searching using drones, boats, and jet skis along the coastline. Despite these extensive efforts, no trace of Kontounas has been located. Nyoman Sidakarya, the chief of the rescue team, noted that challenging conditions hampered the search, including waves up to 2.5 meters (8 feet) high and winds reaching speeds of up to 39 km/h (24 mph).
Future Plans and Warnings
Sidakarya mentioned that if the current search fails to find Kontounas, the team will consider alternative plans moving forward. He also issued a safety warning to visitors at Bali beaches to exercise caution due to potentially dangerous weather and sea conditions.
Official Response
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is supporting the family of the missing man and continues to liaise with local Indonesian authorities to facilitate the search and provide updates.
The disappearance of Harrison Edward Nada Kontounas has raised concerns among fellow tourists and the local community about beach safety in Bali, particularly regarding strong ocean currents and response times in emergencies. The search operation remains active as friends, family, and rescue personnel hope for a positive outcome.
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