Tourist drowned at Kuta beach

DENPASAR, Bali: A Japanese tourist, Miki Morio, 27, drowned at Kuta beach while swimming in a restricted area on Sunday, a press report said yesterday.

Chief of the Bali lifeguard agency, I Gde Brata, said that Morio ignored repeated warnings that the area was restricted because of huge waves.

The lifeguards on duty were unable to watch the tourist all the time because there was dozens of other people to watch over on the crowded beach, Brata said.

"The tourist was found floating dead," Brata was quoted as saying by Antara.

The body was taken to the Denpasar General Hospital to await news from relatives in Japan on whether to send the body home or cremate it in Bali. (pan)