British pensioner, 83, is swept away to his death by strong current with six other tourists rescued at Bali beach resort
- Three Austrians, two German citizens, and a Russian were all saved by lifeguards
- Reports said they had been warned to move by lifeguards due to the currents
A British pensioner has been swept away to his death off the coast of Bali.
A total of seven foreign nationals were dragged into the ocean on Wednesday by the forceful current at one of Bali’s most popular spots, Pererenan Beach in the Badung Regency.
Only the 83-year-old British man died, with the other foreign nationals saved by lifeguards.
Local reports said that lifeguards had warned the foreign beachgoers of the strong current, and urged them to move into another area in the water.
MailOnline has contacted the UK Foreign Office for comment.
Only the 83-year-old British man died, with the other foreign nationals saved by lifeguards on duty at the Bali beach (file picture)
It is understood that the seven individuals were all bathing on the beach at the popular tourist location when the incident happened.
At around 4pm local time, a strong current then dragged the seven out to sea.
Despite being a paradise for holidaymakers looking to bask in the Bali sun, there are three permanent ocean currents across the Pererenan beach that pose a serious danger to beachgoers.
One individual at the scene told local publication Fajar Bali: ‘The lifeguard officer had sounded a warning whistle to the seven victims while bathing near a permanent current, but they were ignored, so they were quickly dragged away by the current separately.’
A group of four was dragged into the ocean from the southern side of the beach, with a further two swept away from further up the coast, and one from the northern side.
Pererenan beach lifeguards were on duty and acted quickly to try and save the group of foreign nationals.
He received first aid and the on-duty lifeguards performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the man.
All seven people were brought back to shore, but the one 83-year-old British man remained in critical condition.
A total of seven foreign nationals were swept away on Wednesday by the forceful current at one of Bali’s most popular spots, Pererenan Beach in the Badung Regency
The man was rushed to Mengwi II Health Center in Tumbakbayuh Village for emergency medical assistance.
‘Of the seven victims, one person was declared dead … a British citizen,’ the police chief said.
‘The victim was taken to the Mengwi II Tumbakbayuh Health Center to receive medical assistance,’ he continued. ‘Then the victim was referred to the Mangusada Badung Hospital and declared dead.’
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