A British tourist narrowly escaped a maritime accident while fishing with a local fisherman off the coast of Bunutan, Karangasem, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The small wooden fishing boat, locally known as a jukung, capsized after being struck by strong winds while at sea.
According to local authorities, the incident involved a fisherman identified as I Nyoman Juliantara, 33, who had taken a British national, Anah Inogen Joned, 47, on a recreational fishing trip. Both were in Bunutan waters, located in Abang District, when the accident occurred.
Strong Winds Caused the Capsize
Perbekel (village head) of Bunutan, I Made Suparwata, confirmed that the boat capsized at around 10:30 a.m. local time. He explained that the weather conditions changed abruptly, with strong winds causing the boat to lose balance and overturn.
“When in the middle of the sea, suddenly the wind blew so hard that it made the jukung overturn because it happened that the jukung was using a sail,” said Suparwata, Tuesday (14/10/2025).
Quick Rescue Prevented Casualties
A fisherman passing nearby noticed the overturned boat and immediately came to assist. He helped bring the British tourist and the local fisherman back to shore, along with the capsized vessel.
Thanks to the timely rescue, both individuals were safely returned to land without any injuries. Authorities confirmed that the incident did not result in any fatalities or significant damage apart from the overturned jukung.
“His colleague then made a live broadcast on social media so that several fishermen also went to the scene of the incident to help,” said Suparwata.
Authorities Urge Caution Amid Unstable Weather
Officials reminded residents and visitors to exercise caution when engaging in maritime activities, especially during unpredictable weather conditions. The coastal area of Karangasem, known for its fishing grounds, is often affected by sudden gusts of wind during seasonal transitions.
The jukung has since been recovered and brought to shore for inspection. Both the fisherman and the tourist are reported to be in good condition following the incident.
Safe Outcome After Near-Fatal Incident
The fishing accident off Bunutan highlights the risks faced by small boat operators during periods of unstable weather. Quick action by nearby fishermen helped ensure the safety of both the British tourist and the local fisherman, bringing the incident to a safe conclusion without casualties.
Local authorities continue to monitor coastal weather and urge small vessel users to remain alert to changing conditions before heading to sea.
“The evacuation process for the victim lasted about three hours. The victim reached the shore safely,” said Suparwata.
