British Tourist Found Dead After Being Swept Out to Sea in Bali
A tragic incident has unfolded in Bali where a 23-year-old British tourist was found dead after being swept out to sea. Harrison Edward Nada Kontounas, originally from Ilford in east London, went missing on Wednesday while swimming at the popular Legian Beach in Bali.
According to local officials, Kontounas was in the water with two friends when a powerful riptide pulled him under the waves. While his friends heeded warnings from lifeguards and returned to shore, Kontounas was caught in the dangerous conditions and disappeared.
Rescue Efforts and Recovery
The Denpasar Search and Rescue Office confirmed on Friday that Kontounas’s body was recovered at approximately 12:30 pm local time. I Nyoman Sidakarya, head of the search and rescue office, stated that the discovery was made by a joint SAR team utilizing military equipment, including a jetski from Balawista, a beach safety unit.
The recovered body was transported to Ngoerah General Hospital for identification. After hospital officials granted permission for viewing, the body was positively identified as Harrison Edward Nada Kontounas, as announced by the rescue office via Instagram.
Challenges During the Search Operation
I Nyoman Sidakarya revealed that the group had entered the water near a section flagged with red warning signs indicating hazardous conditions. Lifeguards had advised them to exit the water, which two of the three swimmers did, but Kontounas was overcome by the riptide.
Search operations could not commence immediately on Wednesday night due to rough seas and safety concerns. Shoreline patrols continued until 10 pm, but high wind speeds ranging between 30-39 km/h and waves reaching up to eight feet impeded efforts. The search intensified on Thursday morning with coordinated deployments across land, sea, and air.
Concerns From Friends and Family
Freddie Palmer, a friend who was with Kontounas at the time of the incident, expressed frustration over the response to the emergency. Speaking to BBC News, Palmer said that lifeguards took three hours to arrive on the scene and that friends had to fund a helicopter search themselves at a cost of £1,700, which ultimately failed to locate Kontounas earlier.
“We are traumatised. We just believe that the authorities here could have acted quicker and maybe he would be sitting here with us right now,” Palmer said.
Next Steps
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has been contacted for comment regarding the incident. Meanwhile, the local community and holidaymakers in Bali have been reminded to exercise extreme caution given the hazardous conditions on certain beaches.
This tragic event highlights the dangers posed by Bali’s coastal waters, especially during strong wind and high wave conditions, and serves as a somber reminder to heed safety warnings while visiting the island’s beautiful but often unpredictable shores.
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