After three days of extensive search efforts, a 22-year-old fisherman from Probolinggo, East Java, who was swept away by waves at Pandawa Beach, was found dead on Monday morning.
The incident occurred on Saturday, November 16, 2024, when the fisherman was reported missing while fishing near the shoreline.
Rescue teams, including personnel from Denpasar Search and Rescue Office (SAR), Bali Basarnas, Denpasar Water Police, Balawista, Pandawa Beach security, and other SAR units, worked together with the victim’s family to locate him.
Coordinated Efforts and Advanced Equipment
The search operation was launched after a report from Balawista Pandawa was received at 9:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, stating that the fisherman had been swept away around 7:00 a.m.
Search teams deployed various tools, including two rubber boats, a rigid inflatable boat, and thermal drones to comb the area both by sea and air.
Ground teams conducted shoreline searches up to 500 meters east of Pandawa Beach, while maritime operations extended from the Balawista Post at Pandawa Beach to the shores near Pura Gunung Payung. Additional searches spanned from Mengiat Beach in Nusa Dua to Pandawa Beach.
Despite their efforts, no signs of the fisherman were found on the first two days.
On Monday morning, however, rescuers received a report that the victim’s body had been discovered.
Body Found Near Shoreline
According to Head of the Denpasar SAR Office I Nyoman Sidakarya, the victim was found at 4:30 a.m. washed ashore approximately 100 meters east of where he was swept away.
Rescue personnel immediately arrived at the location and, with the assistance of Pandawa Beach medical services, evacuated the 22-year-old fisherman’s body to Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar.
The tragedy has cast a somber mood over Pandawa Beach, a popular tourist destination in Bali.
Authorities reminded beachgoers to exercise caution, particularly during adverse weather conditions that could amplify the risks of strong currents.
