An 81-year-old British tourist tragically lost his life while snorkelling near the Indonesian island of Gili Trawangan, a popular holiday destination located northwest of Lombok.
The man was discovered “floating lifeless” approximately 15 feet from the shore on Wednesday. Initial medical reports indicate the likely cause of death was a heart attack sustained while in the water, although an official confirmation is still pending.
According to local police and witness accounts, the man had joined a group boat excursion to a well-known snorkelling site. He became separated from the group before being found unresponsive.
“After arriving at a spot off the Wah Resort, the tourists dived at the location only five metres from the shoreline. They were there for around 10 minutes when the victim was discovered floating motionless in the waters,” Gili islands police chief Iptu Mahardika said.
Emergency teams brought him ashore immediately, but he was sadly pronounced dead following a medical examination, as reported by News of Indonesia.
Authorities have since contacted the British Embassy in Indonesia to notify the tourist’s family of the incident.
“We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Indonesia and are in touch with the local authorities,” a spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) told The Independent.
Gili Trawangan is renowned for its pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, and breathtaking sunset views, drawing tourists from around the world to its shores.
