"Despite Being Experts..." Two Koreans Die While Paragliding in Bali

Local Media: "Fell into the Sea While Attempting Emergency Landing"

Two Korean tourists died after falling into the sea while paragliding in Bali, Indonesia.

According to Indonesian media outlets Kumparan and Social Expat on July 22 (local time), a man and a woman in their 40s from Korea died after falling into the sea while paragliding near Tanah Barak Beach in the Kuta area of Bali at around 12:30 p.m. on July 17.

Paragliding. This photo is not directly related to the article. Pixabay

According to local police, the two individuals arrived in Bali on July 11 with a group of seven people to go paragliding. They both held paragliding pilot licenses and were known to have participated in paragliding tours in various countries.

On the day of the accident, they went paragliding with their group using personal equipment brought from Korea. After about 10 minutes in the air, the wind direction suddenly changed, causing problems. Most of the group managed to make emergency landings on land. However, the two victims were blown toward the coastline and fell into the sea. It was reported that after falling into the water, they became entangled in their paragliding lines and were unable to release their harnesses, sinking below the surface.

Colleagues and local residents jumped into the sea to rescue them, but the two were found unconscious and were pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital. The investigation found that the wind suddenly changed at an altitude of 80 meters, prompting the group to attempt emergency landings. The two victims failed to land safely and fell into the sea. Bali authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident, including reviewing the weather conditions at the time.

Local police stated, "The bereaved families have decided not to request autopsies," adding, "The bodies will be cremated in Bali and then transported to Korea."

Previously, in 2023, a similar accident occurred in Bali, resulting in the death of a Korean tourist while paragliding. The victim, who was reportedly a senior police officer from Busan, had more than 10 years of paragliding experience and held a license, but died in an accident during a paragliding trip to Bali with fellow club members.