NUSA PENIDA, BNEWSID –  A tragic incident occurred at the popular tourist destination of Kelingking Beach in Bunga Mekar Village, Nusa Penida, on Wednesday (Oct 15, 2025). A French tourist, identified as Alena Andreeva Oparina (32), lost her life after being swept away by strong waves.

According to reports, Oparina arrived at the location with four friends around 10:30 a.m. local time. Despite repeated warnings not to go down to the beach due to high waves, she insisted on descending to take photos near the shoreline — a decision that ended fatally when she was pulled into the sea by a powerful surge.

Upon receiving the report, officers from Nusa Penida Police, Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency), Koramil, Babinsa, and village security personnel immediately launched a rescue operation. However, the steep and slippery terrain made the evacuation extremely challenging and time-consuming.

“The terrain at the site is very extreme. Our personnel had to descend a cliff more than 200 meters high to reach the victim’s location. Despite the difficulties, all teams worked with full dedication and caution until the body was successfully evacuated,” said Nusa Penida Police Chief AKP I Ketut Kesuma Jaya, on Thursday (Oct 16).

The evacuation process took nearly three hours. Rescuers took turns carrying the stretcher along a narrow and dangerous path. By around 6:15 p.m., the victim’s body was finally lifted to the top of the cliff and transported to Nusa Medika Clinic by ambulance.

Head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office, I Nyoman Sidakarya, confirmed that his team received the report at approximately 1:40 p.m. from Babinsa officer Ketut Suantara of Bunga Mekar Village.

“The cliff’s steep slope made the rescue effort exhausting, but all SAR units worked tirelessly until the operation was completed,” he explained.

The rescue team included personnel from Nusa Penida SAR Unit, Navy Post Nusa Penida, local police, medical teams, and community volunteers.

Police Chief AKP Kesuma Jaya expressed his condolences and urged visitors to obey safety warnings from authorities.

“We remind all tourists not to force their way down to the beach when waves are high. Safety must always come first,” he emphasized. (*)