A tragic accident at Semeti Beach
Merlin Septiana, an 18-year-old from Indonesia, tragically lost her life on December 19 while posing for a photo on the rocky shores of Semeti Beach, Central Lombok Regency. The teenager was swept away by a rogue wave as she posed with friends, unaware of the dangers posed by the unpredictable waters.
Desperate rescue attempts
Video footage shows locals frantically trying to save Merlin using makeshift tools like wooden poles and fishing rods as she clung to a boulder amid the raging waves. Despite their efforts, she slipped into the powerful current and disappeared.
Recovery of her body
Rescue teams and police scoured the shoreline, eventually finding Merlin’s lifeless body at 5:13 PM. Officials confirmed that she had died before her body was recovered. Her remains have since been returned to her family in Tanak Awu village.
A recurring danger
This tragedy echoes a similar incident on October 13 when 20-year-old Roni Josua Simanjuntak was washed away by waves while standing on wet rocks at Kedung Tumpang Beach in East Java. His body was found days later, highlighting the dangers of Indonesia’s beaches.
Unpredictable and hazardous conditions
Indonesia’s beaches, known for their stunning beauty, are also notoriously perilous, with strong rip currents, rogue waves, and unpredictable tides posing a constant threat, particularly to inexperienced swimmers and those unaware of the risks.
