A British father has died after being caught in a rip current while swimming with his family at Kerandangan Two Beach in Senggigi, West Lombok, on Indonesia's Lombok island. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. local time last Wednesday.
The man's wife and three children were rescued from the water. However, the father was submerged for approximately 18 minutes before being found. Local media reported that residents from nearby villages assisted in the rescue efforts, utilizing a jet ski and basic diving equipment to search for the man amidst large waves.
He was recovered unconscious and transported to Bhayangkara Hospital in Mataram, where he was pronounced dead. The family had reportedly been staying at Rinjani Beach Eco Resort in Tanjung, North Lombok.
This is not the first drowning incident involving a British national in the Lombok region this year. In March, a 45-year-old British man died during a high-risk dive off the coast of Gili Air, also in the Lombok area. He reportedly swam alone into the sea instead of using a boat, encountering strong currents associated with the ‘Indonesian Throughflow’.
Search and rescue crews were alerted when he failed to surface after about an hour. His body was found at a depth of approximately 39 feet. Paramedics attempted CPR on land, but he could not be revived. The UK's Foreign Office stated it is providing consular assistance to the family of the deceased British national and is in contact with local authorities.