3 killed in rafting tragedy

3 killed in rafting tragedy

JAKARTA (JP): Three tourists were killed when their raft
overturned during a trip down the Unda River on the island of
Bali on Monday, Antara reported yesterday.

The news agency identified two of the victims as Hauw Yuk Pik,
30, and Lauw Yeuk Cheuw, 50, both from Hong Kong.

However, AFP, quoting the police in Bali, said the victims
were Lam Yeuk Chew, 49, who also held an Australian passport,
Chan Liu Hotik, a 30-year-old woman, and Kwang Chi Sum, 41.

Five other tourists injured in the accident were taken to the
general hospital in Klungkung, about 40 km east of Denpasar, the
capital of Bali. They were transferred to the Sanglah General
Hospital in Denpasar yesterday.

The bodies of the three victims are currently in Klungkung for
autopsies.

Klungkung Regent Ida Bagus Oka told Antara that the accident
occurred after a flash flood hit six rafts carrying 28 tourists
from Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

He said the accident happened during a heavy rainfall which
came unexpectedly. "This was purely an accident," he was quoted
as saying.

One of the bodies was found at the finish line near the office
of Arha Bali Rafting, the company which organized the expedition.
The other two were fished out from the river. This is the first
time that a raft accident in Bali has claimed the lives of
foreigners, according to Antara.

Water sports have become one of the latest fads and tourist
attractions in Bali, where at least four companies offer rafting
expeditions. (swe)