News, Articles & Reviews

Denpasar (ANTARA News) - Hiro Hiko Kubo (66), a Japanese tourist who was reportedly missing while diving on the Nusa Penida waters, Klungkung district, Bali, was found in a safe condition, it was reported here Sunday.

"The victim was stranded to Tanglad village, Nusa Penida, Klungkung district, after ten hours of struggle against strong waves," ANTARA reported based on information from the Bali provincial Search and Rescue (SAR) Agency in Denpasar.

The victim who was declared missing on Friday (Feb 8) at 3 p.m. was found by locals on Saturday (Feb 9) at 1 p.m. and was reported to the police at 5 p.m.

The report on the matter was then proceeded to the Bali provincial SAR Agency on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The agency had earlier deployed a team to search for the victim using a SAR 009 boat and a helicopter.

Chairman of the Bali SAR Agency, I Ketut Purwa, said he only received the report on the missing Japanese tourist on Friday at 7.30 p.m. local time.

As it was already late and dark, it was impossible for the agency to deploy a team to search for the victim, he said.

The search was only conducted on Saturday morning involving relevant parties, he said, adding that the search was stopped after they learnt that Hiro Hiko Kubo was found safe.

The agency managed to save four German tourists and three crewmen of Sea Rover boat which sank around Nusa Penida waters on Badung Straits on July, 2007.

The four German nationals were identified as Kalus (52), Ingo (47), Dettet (43) and Eiete (40) while the three crew members were identified as Wayan Tirta (40), I Made Topel (40) and Mirtinus (38).

The German tourists left Bali`s Benoa port for Nusa Penida waters to enjoy underwater panorama. (*)

Source