Three missing in Parangtritis

Three missing in Parangtritis

YOGYAKARTA: Three swimmers were still missing Sunday night
after being swept away by the notorious currents at Parangtritis
beach.

The three swimmers as of 7 p.m. Sunday had not been found
despite the efforts of search and rescue teams who immediately
began to comb the waters as soon as it was reported that they
were missing at 4:30 p.m.

Antara identified the three as Eko W, 17, and Bambang, 18,
from Sragen, Central Java, and Loso, 33, a resident of Klaten
also Central Java.

The three were enjoying a swim not to far from the beach when
all of a sudden a large wave dragged them under the surface.

"We've searched the areas where victims of usually end up, but
so far, nothing," Supardjan, 42, who heads the local search and
rescue team.

Supardjan noted that just a few hours earlier two other 20-
year-old divers, Parno and Suroyo, were also carried away by
currents.

Fortunately, those two were saved.

Despite notoriously its strong currents that claim numerous
lives each year, Prangtritis remains a popular holiday
destination. (mds)