Bali urges tourists to assess fitness after spike in accidents and rescues
The warning comes amid a string of emergencies involving foreigners on the island
Bali authorities are urging tourists to ensure they are in good health and physically fit before travelling to the Indonesian holiday hot spot, following a spate of emergencies and rescues involving foreigners.
The Bali Sun reported on Sunday that local medical and rescue teams were advising tourists to seriously assess their physical condition before visiting. The article also cited recent natural disasters and unfavourable weather that have affected the popular island.
The call comes amid a recent string of visitor mishaps, although not all cases have been health-related.
Last month, an American tourist went missing overnight near Nusa Lembongan, southeast of Bali, while on a jet ski trip. He was eventually found adrift at sea by search and rescue personnel.
His jet ski had run out of fuel and he was later spotted by a local vessel, whose captain alerted authorities. The Bali Times reported that the evacuation faced challenges due to high waves, with an extensive operation involving police, health and naval units.
The Bali Sun also cited the case of an Australian national on July 6 who arrived on a Jetstar flight and suffered serious head and neck injuries after he fell and hit a wall at the airport’s baggage collection area.
“The victim had a seizure and fainted at the scene,” Bali airport police spokesman I Gusti Ngurah Rai Ipda I Gede Suka Artana was quoted as saying, adding that the man’s wife told authorities he had a history of hypertension.
“After receiving initial medical treatment, the victim was then evacuated to BIMC Kuta Hospital for further treatment,” Artana said.
Meanwhile, a search is still under way for a Saudi Arabian tourist who went missing nearly a week ago while swimming off Batu Belig Beach.
According to The Jakarta Post, authorities say Alhawsawi Asad Mohamed, 29, was swimming with his 30-year-old Russian partner at the popular surfing spot on July 8 when he was swept away by a strong current.
Lifeguards failed to locate him and reported the case to rescue agencies, with six personnel combing a 1km radius near the site, while locals held a religious ceremony on the beach to pray for his safe return.
Police and other personnel, including local volunteers, joined the search in subsequent days, with equipment such as jet skis, a rubber dinghy and a motorboat.
In another case earlier this month, a 40-year-old mother and her 19-year-old son were rescued after getting lost on Bali’s Mount Batukaru in Tabanan Regency.
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The head of Bali’s branch of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), I Nyoman Sidakarya, told local media that search personnel found traces of food left behind by the duo, who were part of a group hike without a guide. According to The Bali Sun, it is illegal for tourists to trek on Bali’s volcanoes or mountains without a local guide.
