A serious incident is unfolding on one of Bali’s most popular beaches. On Sunday, 7th June, two children were playing football on Kuta Beach, near the shoreline, when they were swept out to sea.
On Tuesday afternoon, despite intensive efforts from Search and Rescue teams, the two children had not been found.
Two local children, known by their initials AA, aged 13, and NAS, aged 8, were reported missing around 6 pm on Sunday, 7th June.
The pair had been playing football on Kuta Beach when their ball rolled into the sea. In heading into the water to retrieve the ball, the pair is believed to have been swept away by a strong current.
An intensive Search and Rescue effort was immediately launched and conducted around the clock, but as of Tuesday afternoon, no further sighting of the pair had been confirmed.
Speaking to reporters, Head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office, I Nyoman Sidakarya, said, “While trying to retrieve the ball that had drifted away, the two victims were allegedly swept away by the current and then disappeared.” He confirmed that six Search and Rescue Officers were on the scene by 6.50 pm.
He confirmed that the search continued on the water until late Sunday evening, although “Due to limited visibility, the search effort last night involved sweeping the entire coastline. As of 10:00 PM WITA, the search results were still zero.”
On Monday, intensive efforts on land and sea resumed along with air support. Speaking to reporters, Ketut Wirajaya, a Field Coordinator of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office, confirmed that the search began at 7 am on Monday, involving a joint Search and Rescue team and various search vehicles at sea, air, and land.
Tourists on Kuta Beach over the last two days may have seen the Search and Rescue operation underway, including the Search and Rescue jet skis and boats that have been scouring the area.
A helicopter was deployed in collaboration with Basarnas Bali, SGi Air Bali, and Finns Beach Club. Nusa Medica Clinic also provided medical assistance.
The helicopter conducted aerial surveillance and searches of the waters off Kuta Beach.
This search effort is intensifying with support from the local community and other security agencies. The Kuta Balawista (Village Rescue Team) assisted in the search by deploying a jet ski.
The ground team has been searching approximately one kilometer south of the last known location of the children’s presence.
For the sea search, the Marine Special Operations Unit (SRU) conducted a search around the incident site, covering an area of approximately 3 nautical miles (NM²). Search efforts focused on areas thought to be in the path of ocean currents.
As of Tuesday, the Search and Rescue effort was being supported by the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office, Kuta Police, Denpasar Police Water Police, Babinpotmar, Kuta Balawista, Banser, Bali Rescue Community (BRC), the children’s families, and the local community.
There is still hope that the children will be found alive and rescue teams will continue their efforts until they are found.
Tourists in the Kuta Beach area may encounter the search and rescue operation in the coming days and are advised to follow the guidance of the community organisers.
The incident is an all too distressing reminder that beach safety is a top priority, especially for children and especially during this busy peak season in Bali.
Although many of Bali’s beaches are considered safe to swim, all of the island’s beaches have, in places, strong and unpredictable currents and are often hit by high waves.
All tourists visiting Bali’s beaches are advised to prioritise safety and never enter the water without telling someone first.
It’s important to note that while parts of Kuta Beach, Legian Beach, and the beaches of Seminyak have a flag system in place, not many beaches in Bali operate a similar system.
Just because there is no flag does not mean it’s safe to swim, and in fact, many beaches in Bali, including those on Nusa Penida, are strictly no-swim zones.
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