Tourist drowns at Kuta beach

Tourist drowns at Kuta beach

DENPASAR, Bali: A 48-year-old Danish tourist drowned at Kuta beach near here on Sunday while swimming in the strong waves at one of the world's most popular beaches.

Head of Antarbangsa service bureau, Gus Sumastra, on Monday said that Leif Poulsen was washed out by the current, which was strong at the time.

"His body is still at the morgue of Denpasar General Hospital," Gus said.

The strong waves, he said, suddenly hit the foreign tourist and carried him away.

According to Gus, local life savers attempted to save Poulsen but could not.

"We have contacted the Danish Embassy in Jakarta to find out whether the body will be cremated here or sent to Denmark," he said.

In April, two foreign tourists were found dead in Bali and their bodies were sent to home at the request of their families, he explained.

Data from Bali regional police revealed that as many as 42 foreign tourists died in Bali last year. The number was 48 the previous year.

Most of these deaths were from drowning in the sea. Some were also caused by traffic accidents and illnesses, Antara reported.