A Chinese tourist busy snapping selfies on Pecatu’s popular Dreamland Beach was swept out to sea when a high wave unexpectedly hit her from behind yesterday afternoon. Thankfully, lifeguards on duty nearby were able to rescue the woman, 67-year-old Cheng Yao Lan, who emerged from the water in shock but relatively unscathed.
According to a report by Nusa Bali, the woman had traveled from a hotel in Sunset Road and arrived at the beach with her friends at around 11:35am. On arrival, she quickly whipped out her smartphone and began snapping photos of herself, apparently paying little heed to the ocean behind her.
“The victim was at the edge of the water… so when the wave hit, she was swept away,” said an eyewitness to Nusa Bali.
Luckily, the incident occurred close to the beach’s lifeguard post and she was quickly rescued by the officer on dute, I Made Sukadana, together with tourists who were swimming around 10 meters from the shoreline.
When she was evacuated to the beach she was reportedly still breathing, though in a state of weakness and shock.
Sadly, tourists have gotten into trouble before taking selfies in precarious locations. Just last year, a Chinese tourist drowned after getting dragged out to sea while taking a selfie at Angel’s Billabong, a natural ocean-side infinity pool in Nusa Penida.
