Tourists warned not to swim at Kelingking Beach in Bali
It may be one of Bali’s most stunning beaches, but it’s notoriously dangerous with officials warning tourists of its grim reality.
Tourists have been warned not to swim at a famous Bali beach after a British teen had his leg dislocated after getting slammed by a powerful wave.
Kelingking Beach is located in the village of Bunga Mekar on the southwestern coast of Nusa Penida Island.
But while it is one of the popular beaches in the province of Bali, with its stunning views attracting hundreds of tourists a day — it’s also notoriously dangerous.
Earlier this year, a swimming ban was enforced at the secluded beach along with two more of the island’s famous natural landmarks; Diamond Beach and Angel Billabong Beach, according toThe Bali Sun.
It comes after a spate of recent injuries and deaths due to strong currents and high waves.
However, despite the warnings, some tourists still risk their lives.
Last week, emergency services rushed to Kelingking Beach following reports a tourist had been smashed by a strong wave.
Video footage shared to Instagram showed rescue teams on a boat and in the water, trying to save the man with the assistance of a long piece of rope.
According to local reports, the impact of the wave caused the 19-year-old’s leg to dislocate.
“We evacuated the victim by pulling them from the shoreline towards the centre, because during the evacuation the waves were quite high,” Nusa Penida SAR Alert Unit Coordinator, Cakra Negara said in a statement.
It took the emergency services around one hour to evacuate the teen who was then rushed to a nearby hospital.
The rescue mission involved officers from Bali Search and Rescue, Nusa Penida Military Command, Nusa Penida Police, Nusa Medika Clinic, and Ocean Rider crew.
The British tourist and his friend were reportedly admiring the beach from the clifftop, before making their way down.
The teen then entered the water and soon enough got smashed by a huge wave.
Nusa Penida police chief, Kompol Ida Bagus Putra Sumerta, said police were alerted after the boy’s friend asked locals for help.
“The call was sent to the Nusa Penida Search and Rescue Team, who launched into action,” Mr Sumerta toldThe Bali Sun.
But the British tourist isn’t the only one to suffer serious injuries.
On January 22, a 27-year-old French tourist was swept out to sea after he ignored a no swimming sign at the same beach. He was saved by a search and rescue team but broke his hip.
The day before, a 32-year-old Russian tourist dislocated her shoulder when she was smashed by a rogue wave.
However, not everyone comes out alive.
Last month, two tourists died at the beach after entering the water to take selfies.
Shortly after walking into the water, the young couple was overpowered by a surging wave and dragged out to sea.
The tourists are said to have ignored their tour guide’s warning, according to The Bali Sun.
On a further effort to keep tourists safe, a 182m glass elevator experience will be built with stopping points and viewing stations every 20 metres down the cliffside so tourists can admire the view of the beach from every angle.
The steep cliff has also caused countless injuries over the past few years, wit the steep and uneven steps eroding under the pressure of the amount of visitors walking up and down.
It forms part of the reason officials decided to create what will be known as the Glass Elevator and Viewing Platform.
It is expected to be completed in 2024.
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