KUTA, Bali — A viral video showing what appeared to be a body floating in the waters off Bali’s famous Kuta Beach has triggered an extensive search operation, but authorities say no victim has been found despite hours of searching and the discovery of several personal belongings near the scene.
Police and lifeguard teams are now working to determine whether someone may have entered the water before disappearing into the surf, or whether the object seen by witnesses was something else entirely.
The incident was first reported early Wednesday morning near one of the busiest stretches of Bali’s coastline, just west of the breakwater in front of the Selter Baruna monument in Kuta.
According to Denpasar Police spokesperson Iptu I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya, the alarm was raised after two men alerted Balawista lifeguard Andreas Budiman that they had spotted what appeared to be a body floating offshore.
“The report was received at approximately 7:45 a.m.,” Adi Saputra said on Thursday. “Following the information provided by witnesses, Balawista personnel immediately responded and initiated a search in coordination with the Water Police Unit.”
An ambulance was dispatched to the shoreline while lifeguards launched a jet ski into the waters to search the area where the object was last seen.
Rescue teams expanded their search north, south, and west of the reported location as tides continued to rise throughout the morning.
Despite searching for approximately 90 minutes, authorities were unable to locate any body or person in distress.
“After around one and a half hours of searching under high-tide conditions, the victim or suspected body could not be found,” Adi Saputra said.
While the search yielded no trace of a person, investigators did uncover several items that may provide clues about what happened.
Balawista officer Yoyok Wahyudi discovered a collection of belongings on the nearby breakwater, including a pair of brown sandals, sunglasses, a black cap, and a blue plastic raincoat.
The items were secured and transported to the Kuta Water Police Post for further examination.
At present, authorities have not identified an owner for the belongings, nor have they received any confirmed reports of a missing person connected to the incident.
Investigators are now reviewing CCTV footage from cameras positioned around Kuta Beach that overlook the breakwater area, hoping to establish whether anyone was seen entering the water before the sighting was reported.
Police and lifeguards continue to gather information from witnesses and people working along the beachfront.
The case has drawn widespread attention on social media after video footage of the alleged sighting circulated online, prompting speculation about what may have been seen floating in the water.
Authorities, however, are urging caution until more evidence emerges.
As of Thursday evening, the search remained ongoing, with no confirmed victim and no clear explanation for the belongings found near the scene.
For now, one of Bali’s most visited beaches is left with more questions than answers: a reported sighting, a handful of personal items, and a mystery that investigators are still trying to unravel.
#heybalinews / Source : https://www.instagram.com/p/DZq3I3UzcxE/
