BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – A 57-year-old Serbian national, identified as Sinisa Bilanovic, has been found dead after being reported missing at Mengiat Beach in Nusa Dua, Bali.
The incident was reported to the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office on Wednesday (April 29) at around 9:30 AM WITA, according to Head of the agency I Nyoman Sidakarya.
“We received a report from a witness stating that the incident occurred the previous day,” he said.
The victim had arrived at Mengiat Beach on Tuesday (April 28) at approximately 11:00 AM WITA as part of a group of 17 tourists. However, by around 5:00 PM WITA, he had not returned to rejoin the group.
A tour guide and fellow travelers initially conducted a search around the beach area but were unable to locate him. The case was then reported to the Water Police Unit of Denpasar Police.
Search and rescue teams deployed seven personnel to the scene and coordinated with multiple agencies. The operation involved two Search and Rescue Units (SRU), with one team conducting a sea search using two rubber boats, while another team searched on land toward the northern coastline.
“Personnel were divided into two units, with sea and land searches conducted simultaneously,” Sidakarya explained.
By noon, the victim had not yet been located. Shortly after, the team received information about the discovery of a body.
“At 1:36 PM, the victim was found washed ashore approximately 700 meters from the last known position, already deceased,” said field coordinator Kadek Perdana Yasa.
The body was then evacuated to Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar using an ambulance operated by Balawista Kuta Selatan.
The incident highlights potential risks in coastal areas, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with local sea conditions.