Seven students drown at sea

Seven students drown at sea

YOGYAKARTA: High waves on Wednesday swept away and killed at least seven holidaymakers at Parangtritis beach, about 20 kilometers south of here, a press report said.

Search and rescue workers scoured the area yesterday to find the five people still missing in the incident that locals and police described as the worst in 10 years.

All but one of the victims were students of Madrasah Tsanawiyah Al Ma'arif school in Magelang, Central Java, aged between 12 and 15 years. The other, visiting from Bandung, was trying to save the other victims, Antara reported.

They were among 90 students from the school having fun at the famed beach. Eyewitnesses said the victims ignored warnings against swimming in the area well-known for its huge waves.

The tourist from Bandung, Indra, 20, reportedly drowned in the strong current. (pan)