Bali, Indonesia (24.4.26) – The FINNS-supported Search & Rescue (SAR) team has been activated for its second emergency mission, responding to two tourists stranded on a rocky outcrop near Uluwatu after rising tides cut off their escape route.
The incident occurred earlier today when the two visitors became trapped on a coastal rock shelf below the Uluwatu cliffs. As the tide came in and sea levels continued to rise around them, the pair found themselves with no safe path back to shore. By the time rescue was initiated, they had been stranded for five hours — without food, water, or shelter from the elements.
With conditions deteriorating and the tide showing no signs of receding, standard ground-based retrieval was not possible.
The FINNS SAR team mobilised immediately in coordination with BASARNAS — Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency — deploying for a technical hoist operation to extract the two individuals directly from the rock shelf.
The operation required precise coordination between the SAR crew and BASARNAS ground teams, given the exposed nature of the site, the proximity to cliff faces, and the active swell conditions characteristic of the Uluwatu coastline.
Both tourists were successfully retrieved and assessed for dehydration and exposure following their five-hour ordeal.
A Growing Case for Rapid-Response Capability Across Bali
This second successful mission in as many days reinforces the importance of having dedicated, rapid-response SAR capability across Bali — not only in the island’s more remote regions, but along its coastline, cliffs, and increasingly popular adventure areas.
As visitor numbers grow and tourists explore further beyond resort areas, incidents in difficult-to-access locations are becoming more frequent. The FINNS SAR initiative, operated in partnership with BASARNAS, is positioned to respond where standard emergency services cannot reach quickly enough.
Emergency Contact Information
For emergency response support or to contact the Search & Rescue team: BASARNAS HOTLINE 115
For more information visit our website https://finnssearchandrescue.com/about-us/