Renewed Public Safety Warnings Issued For All Tourists In Bali

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A series of serious incidents this week in Bali have led to renewed public safety warnings. Two unrelated incidents resulted in the deaths of two tourists on vacation on the island.

Another separate incident resulted in the police being called to assist a tourist in distress at very early hours.  

At around 5.45 pm on Tuesday evening a German tourist known by his initials MT, 22, was visiting the Pura Luhur Sriojng clifftop viewpoint to enjoy the sunset with his girlfriend.

The clifftop temple is situated in a quiet part of Tabanan Regency, overlooking Soka Beach and about an hour’s drive west of the more well-known Tanah Lot Temple. 

The couple arrived at the temple and sunset viewing point via an online taxi and after saying goodbye to the driver walked directly to the viewing point and started taking photos of the sunset and the beach below. 

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In a tragic turn of events MT moved too close to the edge of the clifftop while taking a video, lost his balance, and fell 15m over the cliff.

Police have suggested that he died on impact. His distressed girlfriend witnessed the fall and frantically called the taxi driver to come and help. The incident was quickly reported to Selemadeg Police. 

Selemadeg Police Chief, AKP Nikolaus Sina Ruing, spoke to the media after MT’s body had been evacuated from the beach below. He confirmed that “The condition of the victim was found dead. He was immediately evacuated to the Tabanan Regional Hospital.”

He added, “Because he was not careful, the victim fell down the cliff.” Tragically the death of MT is not the first time an incident like this has happened in Bali. Over the last few years, there has been a rise in the number of tourists injured or killed as a result of falling over the famous cliff-top viewpoints.

This week’s tragedy is a grim reminder to tourists to always be aware of their surroundings, especially on dangerous cliff tops and when taking photos.  

On Wednesday 27th a boat collision in the waters around Nusa Penida resulted in the death of a 53-year-old German tourist.

According to statements issued by the Maritime Police, the snorkeling tour boat was carrying eleven passengers and four crew members.

The collision occurred in the Pasih Andus Waters. Another boat carrying a group of tourists on a snorkeling trip came hurtling towards the victim’s boat. 

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The police report states “Unfortunately the collision was unavoidable. The boat carrying the victim was hit at the front, right side of the boat.”

The report suggested that the victim, known by his initials SHU was thrown from the boat and caught in the rudder during the collision. 

The Head of Public Relations of the Bali Police, Kombespol Jansen Avitus Panjaitan confirmed that an investigation is underway though it had already been acknowledged publicly that the boat captains are both liable for the incident.

Over in Kutuh Village, close to Uluwatu, a 34-year-old male tourist was found naked and wandering the streets in the very early hours of Wednesday morning.

Concerned for his wellbeing a passerby on his way to work called the local police and civil service. 

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While attending the scene police discovered that the man had a history of sleepwalking and is currently taking prescribed medication that could have played a part in his concerning behavior.

Given his medical history, police have given him a caution but since videos of the situation have gone viral many people are calling for him to be deported. 

Officials in Bali are on a mission to crack down on disrespectful and illegal behavior by foreigners in Bali and maintain the island as a safe place for all; this requires a cooperative approach from both the authorities and tourists themselves.