BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – An Italian tourist was found seriously injured beneath a bridge in the Legian area of Kuta early Saturday morning after an alleged altercation with two individuals, according to initial reports from local witnesses.
The incident occurred around 04:00 WITA on Saturday (March 7) near the bridge on Jalan Patih Jelantik, a busy area connecting Legian and Kuta, one of Bali’s main tourism districts.
The victim, identified as Alessandro Molini, 44, an Italian national temporarily staying in Benoa, South Kuta, was discovered lying along the riverbank beneath the bridge with severe injuries.
Local security personnel from Legian, Made Merta and his colleague Irfan, responded to reports from residents who said a foreign tourist had been pushed from the bridge into the river below.
When officers arrived at the scene, several residents had already gathered and an ambulance was present to assist with the evacuation.
The victim was rescued with the help of local residents and immediately transported to BIMC Hospital Kuta for intensive medical treatment.
Witnesses in the area reported that shortly before the incident, the victim had been involved in a heated argument with two individuals near the bridge. The dispute reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation.
“During the altercation, the victim was allegedly dragged and pushed, causing him to fall into the river. After the incident, the two individuals believed to be involved left the location,” a local security officer said on Sunday (March 8).
The incident was first noticed by an online motorcycle taxi driver passing through the area. The driver reportedly saw a dispute taking place on the bridge and later alerted nearby residents.
“We received information from an online motorcycle taxi driver who saw an argument on the bridge. When we checked the location, we found a foreign tourist under the bridge crying out in pain,” a local resident known as Pak De said.
Molini sustained multiple injuries, including a wound to the forehead, a broken left arm, bleeding from the nose, bruising around the mouth, and abrasions on the chest and left hip.
He was also reported to have suffered bleeding on the left side of his skull, leaving him in critical condition when first discovered.
As of the latest update, the victim remains under intensive care at BIMC Hospital Kuta and has not yet been able to provide a full statement to police due to his medical condition.
Authorities from Denpasar Police are currently investigating the case. Officers are collecting witness statements and reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding Jalan Patih Jelantik area to determine the full sequence of events and identify the individuals involved.
A spokesperson from Denpasar Police Public Relations said the information is still being verified as investigators continue gathering evidence related to the incident.