A tragic incident unfolded at a popular tourist destination in Bali, where a man lost his life after being swept away by a powerful wave. Nilesh Mukhi, a 59-year-old father of two, was taking photographs at Angel’s Billabong, a natural infinity pool notorious for its dangerous conditions, when he was knocked off a cliff by an intense wave.
Mukhi and his wife, Kavita, were standing near the edge of the cliff for a photo when a large wave swept them into the water. The incident occurred on Wednesday, and Mukhi’s body was discovered the following morning. Kavita was rescued quickly, suffering only minor injuries.
Amin Asghar, president of travel agency Skal International, relayed the details of the incident. According to Asghar, the couple was warned by their driver, who was taking the photograph, to move away from the cliff’s edge due to the rough sea and large waves caused by the full moon. However, before they could react, a large wave hit the cliff and dragged Mukhi into the sea.
Mukhi’s body was found in Nusa Dua, approximately 12 miles from Angel’s Billabong, following a search operation led by local police and the Indonesian navy. Angel’s Billabong, located on the island of Nusa Penida, a short ferry or boat ride away from mainland Bali, is known for its natural infinity pool and clear blue waters. However, it has also earned a reputation as a “death trap” due to several near-fatal incidents involving tourists.
In 2018, a similar incident occurred when a Chinese national, Qiuwei Anhui, was swept away by a wave and drowned while taking a selfie. In 2016, an Australian couple honeymooning at the location were hit by a wave, resulting in the wife washing up on the shore the following day.
Mukhi, a resident of Kolkata, India, worked as a travel agent for Skal International. He is survived by his two sons, Gaurav and Yash.