Jetskiers still missing

DENPASAR, Bali: No trace was found Wednesday of two Indonesian jetskiers who disappeared during the five-day Bali International Offshore 2002 Competition on Monday.

"We are trying very hard to find them. We have radioed all the fishermen and ships in the vicinity about the incident. We are also requesting assistance from a GSM provider, Pro-XL, since one of the men sent a message through his cellular phone several hours after he went missing," contest committee chairman Ichsan said.

The two jetskiers, identified as Rosyid, 40, and Joko Herlambang, 20, disappeared Monday when bad weather struck the race area off Nusa Dua Beach.

"The visibility was decreasing drastically and the horizon darkened immediately. We had no choice but to call off the race. All the participants returned to checkpoint one at the beach but there was no sign of Rosyid or Herlambang," Ichsan said.

He said the search and rescue team used two planes and two helicopters to no avail.

About 10 countries were participating in the competition.--JP