British tourist found dead after Bali rip drags him from shore, prompting safety warnings

A British man, Harrison Nada-Kontounas, 23, was swept out to sea by a rip current at Legian Point along Kuta Beach in Bali on Wednesday afternoon, officials and family said. His body was found about 3.2 kilometers offshore on Friday, the family confirmed.

Nada-Kontounas was pulled away from his friends as rough conditions pounded the coastline. Witnesses say the group had not been swimming in the red-flagged area, zones closed due to dangerous conditions, when the incident occurred around 4:10 p.m. Two friends managed to reach the shore, but lifeguards attempting to reach Nada-Kontounas were unable to save him, missing by about a meter. The weather featured strong currents and winds estimated near 30 kilometers per hour.

Nada-Kontounas’s friends later said they had to fund a private helicopter for a search after officials did not provide an air search. They described spending the night walking beaches, asking fishermen and tourists to help search for Harrison for more than 32 hours. “We had to hire a helicopter ourselves,” one friend said. “We’ve barely slept. We walked the beaches all night, asking every fisherman, every bar, every tourist to watch for Harrison.” They added they were seeking accountability and a formal investigation into the response, arguing that the two critical hours of daylight were not capitalized on. The family has called for a full inquiry into what they say was a delayed or inadequate emergency response, and Nada-Kontounas’s mother traveled to the island after his disappearance.

The family’s criticism follows warnings from locals and social media posts about the dangers of swimming near the popular Bali beach area. Local residents and travelers have cautioned that rip currents, strong undertows, and whirlpools can make even seemingly calm sections hazardous. Authorities have faced questions about the speed and scope of searches and the adequacy of safety messaging in the wake of the incident. A friend told Daily Mail Australia that the group had not entered a red-flagged area, a point echoed by other witnesses and residents.

In Bali, as in many popular destinations, beachgoers are told to heed flags and lifeguard guidance, but observers say warnings can be inconsistent or delayed during high-traffic periods. The incident has prompted renewed emphasis on the need for rapid, well-coordinated search efforts and clearer information for visitors, including Australians who travel to Bali in large numbers each year.

Nada-Kontounas’s family and friends expressed gratitude for the support they have received from Balinese locals, Australian tourists, and the international community, even as they pursue accountability. They stressed that the tragedy underscores ongoing risks at Bali’s beaches and the importance of timely rescues and robust emergency response protocols. The Balinese authorities have not publicly outlined a formal review of the incident, but relatives said they intend to pursue an official inquiry to examine what transpired during the initial hours after his disappearance.