Badung, Bali. Two Russian nationals trapped beneath a cliff at Cemongkak Beach in Bali were evacuated by helicopter on Thursday as rising tides left rescue teams racing against time.

A helicopter operated by SGi Air Bali was deployed from Denpasar and arrived at the scene in Badung regency 12 minutes later to rescue Sergei Starostin, 51, and Diana Zolotova, 20.

Denpasar search and rescue agency chief I Nyoman Sidakarya said authorities were alerted by a staff member at El Kabron Beach Club.

An initial team of eight rescuers determined there would not be enough time to extract the pair by land because they were stranded far below the cliff, with seawater levels continuing to rise.

“We immediately coordinated with SGi Air Bali to assist in the evacuation of two Russian citizens trapped on the Uluwatu cliff,” Sidakarya said.

The rescue was carried out at around 3 p.m. local time using a hoisting system.

“There were no significant technical problems during the evacuation, but we were racing against time because the waves were rising. We used hoisting to evacuate them one by one,” he said.

Both Russian nationals were reported to be in good condition, although Starostin suffered minor abrasions to his leg and elbow. He declined further medical examination at a hospital.

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