Japanese tourist dies rafting

JAKARTA (JP): A 24-year-old Japanese tourist, Fusano Tominaga was killed last month when the white-water rafting boat he rented with four friends capsized on the Ayung river in Carangsari village, Bali.

Tominaga's body was found on Sept. 24, one day after the incident. The other six passengers, including two guides, survived.

The rafting company, Bali Adventure Tours, said in a statement that the fatal accident occurred when a strong gust of wind overturned the boat as it was going down a waterfall.

One of the guides, I Ketut Suardana reported to his company that he had tried but failed to help the tourists due to the strong water currents.

"Tominaga's body has been sent home to Japan, along with his four friends," a company employee told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

The company said its two guides had followed all the rafting procedures including the rescue of their clients.

White-water rafting is gaining in popularity among tourists after many operators began marketing the breathtaking sport as an ideal way for young people to relieve stress and exercise.

Besides Bali, rafting is also popular in Aceh; Magelang, West Java; Central Java and Padang, West Sumatra. (prb)