Japanese tourist died while free-diving in Bali

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A Japanese tourist was found dead on Pejongan Beach in Karangasem, Bali, three days after going missing following a free-diving accident.

Louis Kawamura, 33, was spotted on the beach on Wednesday morning, still in his snorkeling gear, wet suit and coral shoes.

Kawamura went free-diving with his friends on Toyapakeh Beach in Nusa Penida on Sunday. He was not carrying an oxygen supply.

When Kawamura failed to return to the surface, his friends reported the accident to the police who coordinated a search effort with local search and rescue teams.

“Our allegation is that the victim failed to control his timing during the dive and ran out of breath before reaching the surface. The current on the beach where he dived is very strong,” Karangasem Police Chief Ketut Onik Suirawan said, adding that a maximum time for free-diving is 5 minutes.

“Before the five-minute limit is up, the diver must return to the surface to catch his breath,” Onik said.

The body was taken to Karangasem General Hospital for autopsy. Kawamura's brother had identified the body, assisted by staff from the Japanese consulate.

Photo AFP

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