Tourists From Medan Disappear At Senggigi Beach, Lombok

WEST LOMBOK - Zoel Salim (30), a tourist from Medan City, North Sumatra, was swept away by the waves at Kerandangan Beach 2, Senggigi Village, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Saturday, January 15 evening.

Head of the Mataram Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, Nanang Sigit PH, confirmed the incident. His party has deployed personnel to conduct searches along with other SAR potentials.

"Rescue teams have been dispatched to the scene since Sunday morning," he said, quoted by Antara, Sunday, January 16.

According to information received by the Mataram SAR Office from a member of the West Lombok District Disaster Preparedness Team (Tagana), the incident began when the victim asked permission from his two relatives to defecate in the sea.

However, the victim did not return. The two brothers tried to contact the victim's cell phone (HP), but they didn't pick up. When followed to the beach only found HP.

"The two brothers of the victim did a search with several people who were camping at the scene before being reported to the relevant parties," said Nanang.

He said the search for victims was focused on the scene and the surrounding area using an engined rubber boat.

As of Sunday at 15.00 WITA, the joint SAR team from the Mataram SAR Office rescue team, TNI, Polri, Tagana, local residents, and others had not been able to find any victims.