2 dead, 2 missing off C. Java beach

YOGYAKARTA: Two people are feared drowned, two others were found dead on Wednesday, after being swept away from Parangtritis beach on Tuesday after strong waves and currents hit the coast along Bantul regency, Yogyakarta.

The four were all residents of Sragen, Central Java who were on vacation in the resort along with 17 other people. They were identified as Suparti, 20; Sarikurniawan, 16; Hani, 20; and Parni, 17.

The secretary of Parangtritis' search and rescue (SAR) team, M. Taufiq, said two of the victims -- Sarikurniawan and Parni -- had been rescued by his team.

They failed to salvage the two other feared victims due to strong waves. The bodies of Supartin and Hani were discovered on Wednesday not far from the place they were last seen when the incident took place.

"Earlier on Tuesday our members saw the victims swimming in the sea. However, the strong waves engulfed them and the swell swept them away, so our members came to their rescue and dragged two of them to shore," Taufiq said. --Antara