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)