Brit, 81, dies while snorkelling off Indonesia
A British tourist died while snorkeling off an island in Indonesia.
The pensioner, 81, was found floating lifeless just 15ft from the coast of Gili Trawangan island in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia.
Police said the man had been sailing around the island with a group of tourists onboard the Gili Bahari 07 boat on March 26.
Iptu Mahardika, the police chief of the Gili islands, said: 'After arriving at a spot off the Wah Resort, the tourists dived at the location only five metres (around 15 feet) from the shoreline.
'They were there for around 10 minutes when the victim was discovered floating motionless in the waters.'
The Brit was believed to have been separated from the group before horrified holidaymakers found his body drifting on the surface of the water.
Lifeguards rushed to drag him back to the beach for first aid.
When there was no response, he was then taken to the Warna Clinic.
However, he could not be revived.
A British tourist died while snorkeling off an island in Indonesia . The pensioner, 81, was found floating lifeless just 15ft from the coast of Gili Trawangan island in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. (stock image of the Gili islands)
The cause of the tourist's death has not yet been confirmed.
Authorities said they were investigating if he was suffering from pre-existing medical conditions.
They said there was no indication of an accident caused by sea currents or external factors.
Authorities have coordinated with the British Embassy in Indonesia to contact the victim’s family and arrange for the repatriation of the body.
Gili Trawangan is the largest of the Gili Islands - an trio of small islands off the northwest coast of the Lombok Regency.
It is known for its white sandy beaches, clear waters, and beautiful coral reefs that make it a popular diving spot among tourists.
But, despite being a hit with most holidaymakers, in 2023 one Australian couple had a terrifying experience on the island.
Ian Cragg and his girlfriend Natalie boarded a ferry departing Gili Trawangan island off the northwest coast of Lombok in 2023.
Gili Trawangan is the largest of the Gili Islands - an trio of small islands off the northwest coast of the Lombok Regency. It is known for its white sandy beaches, clear waters, and beautiful coral reefs that make it a popular diving spot among tourists (stock image of Gili Air)
The Gold Coast tourists spent three nights on 'Gili T' and called the booking company in the morning to confirm their trip back to the port of Sanur, near Denpasar.
A friend of his had caught the same ferry the day before and said they had been 'floating at sea for one hour' with choppy waters making it impossible to keep moving without taking on water.
After being told the first ferry of the day had been cancelled, he arrived at the port at 11am, only to wait another three hours for the boat to arrive.
'It's mayhem and confusing as hell down at the jetty, with no one taking control,' Mr Cragg said, describing the hundreds of people piling onto the tiny jetty.
'An absolute sh*t show.'
He said when the boat finally arrived, its passengers looked 'gaunt and pale' with one Australian saying as they disembarked: 'That boat should never have gone.'
But with no option to get back to the mainland, Mr Cragg boarded the ferry with around 60 other passengers - many of whom were Australians.
'It was fine at first, until we got to the main passageway - that's when things really started to get hairy,' he said.
'This big wave hit the side of the boat and the windows blew in, drenching the tourists.
'The windows must have been plastic because thankfully they didn't smash.'
Mr Cragg said people were panicking and moving to the back of the boat as two crew members rushed to the window and began busily working to fit a piece of plywood in the window.
I definitely felt in danger, but we were close enough to land to know that if the worst were to happen, hopefully help wouldn't be too far away,' he said.
Mr Cragg said when they were back safe on the mainland, his taxi driver told him that 'it happens all the time' during the wet season.
'For most of the year, the water is fine, but it gets bad between December and February during the wet season,' Mr Cragg said.
