11 Dead After Tidal Wave Wipes Out People Meditating On The Beach

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Tidal waves swept a group of people on an Indonesian beach, resulting in the deaths of 11 people
The group had been told not to go into the sea due to the waves, but they ignored the warning
The 13 survivors, who included a 2-year-old girl, were later treated at a health clinic

Eleven people drowned in the Indonesian province of East Java early Sunday after being dragged by big waves on a beach despite warnings to avoid the sea, officials said.

The victims were part of a group of 24 people from several villages who took part in a local ritual that involved swimming in the ocean on Saturday night, The Washington Post reported, citing officials from the Surabaya Search and Rescue Agency.

Officials said 23 people from the group were dragged by tidal waves while they were holding hands and meditating on Payangan beach shortly after midnight, according to The Straits Times.

"They were too close to the sea and could not save themselves when the tidal waves came and swept them away," local police chief Hery Purnomo was quoted as saying.

Ten bodies were initially recovered from the ocean, while the 11th victim was retrieved Sunday afternoon. Some of the victims were related.

The remaining 13 members of the group survived, including a 2-year-old girl, officials said. They were treated at a health clinic.

Officials did not disclose the current conditions of the survivors.

A local resident had told the group not to go into the sea due to the big waves, but they ignored the warning, according to chief rescuer I Wayan Suyatna.

Indonesia's weather agency reportedly warned of potential extreme weather and high waves in several regions, including East Java.

Payangan beach was usually guarded and closed after dark, but the group still found a way to enter the site, said regional military commander Batara Pangaribuan.

"The beach has been relatively quiet lately because of the pandemic, and even if there are visitors, they would just sit around and not swim because of the high waves," Pangaribuan said.

High tides and strong waves are reportedly common in Indonesian beaches, which often lack safety measures for its visitors.

Two domestic tourists died in East Java's Malang district last year after they were swept by the waves on a beach.

Another similar incident happened in 2019 when five people vacationing on a beach in Lampung province died after they were dragged away by high waves.