Bali. A Saudi Arabian national, identified as Alhawsawi Asad Mohammed, 29, has been reported missing after swimming at Batu Belig Beach, Seminyak, on Tuesday, July 8, at around 2:40 p.m. local time. Authorities suspect he was swept away by strong currents while in the water.

“A Saudi Arabian national was swept away by the current while swimming at Batu Belig Beach, Seminyak, Kuta District, Badung,” said I Nyoman Sidakarya, head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, in a statement.

The Denpasar SAR Office deployed six personnel to search for the missing man, covering a 1-kilometer stretch of shoreline in both directions. As of 5:05 p.m. Tuesday, the search had yet to locate Alhawsawi.

“Previously, the lifeguard team had attempted to locate the victim, but he was not found. The incident was then reported to the standby officer at the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office,” Sidakarya said.

Local residents held a traditional ceremony on the beach as part of the search efforts.

As of Wednesday noon, the search operation was ongoing, with the authorities continuing to monitor coastal areas for any signs of the missing tourist.