A father-of-two was swept to his death in front of his wife and friends while they were taking photos at a Bali hotspot, referred to as a tourist “death trap”.
Nilesh Mukhi, 59, was taking photos at Angel’s Billabong, a natural infinity pool at Klungkung Regency in Bali, with his wife Kavita on Wednesday, October 23, when a strong wave knocked the couple into the water.
Mrs Mukhi was rescued, and was reportedly bruised but not seriously injured, The New York Post reports. Her husband was not as fortunate.
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After a search led by local police and the Indonesian navy, Mr Mukhi’s body was recovered on Thursday at Nusa Dua, roughly 19km away from Angel’s Billabong, according to the Times of India.
Amin Asghar, president of travel agency Skal International told the Times that local police said the couple “stood very close to the edge to be photographed” when the wave struck.
“Since it was a full moon, the sea was rough and there were big waves,” he said.
“The driver who was taking the photograph asked the two to move away from the cliff’s edge. But before they could do so, a large wave hit the cliff and dragged Mukhi into the sea.”
Skal International India shared a tribute for Mr Mukhi, who worked as a travel agent with the company, in which board member Sanjeed Mehra shared “heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate through this unimaginable loss,” the statement posted to Facebook read.
“The Skål community stands together in offering our support, strength, and love. In this moment of sadness, let us honour the memory of our departed friend and colleague by cherishing the moments we shared and keeping their legacy alive in our hearts.”
Mr Mukhi had been the company’s treasurer in the past, and had worked in the travel industry for three decades, according to the Times of India.
Anil Punjabi of TAFI told the Time Mr Mukhi’s death would lead to travel agents reviewing the risk of destinations and “offering advisory to tourists”.
Angel’s Billabong is incredibly popular among tourists, who put their lives on the line to capture the “perfect” holiday happy snap.
It is located on the island of Nusa Penida, a short ferry or boat ride 20km southwest of mainland Bali.
For centuries local Balinese avoided the island, which is believed to be the home of Mecaling, Bali’s demon king and his invisible army of demons as well as islanders who performed black magic to appease them. It is believed to be cursed.
European mariners were also reportedly apprehensive to set foot on Nusa Penida, marking the island with the skull and crossbones symbol on old maps.
However, it had a dramatic rebrand in 2012 when National Geographic described it as “a biological and cultural treasure, basically immune from all the trappings of Western culture”.
The article coincided with the rise of social media, particularly Instagram, and a sharp spike in the number of tourists flocking to the island to get a snap in front of the towering cliff faces, the natural infinity pools and crystal clear blue waters.
A number of tourists have died in eerily similar circumstances at Angel’s Billabong.
In 2018, Chinese national Qiuwei Anhui, 46, drowned after being swept away by a wave while he was taking a selfie and the billabong.
In 2017, a 23-year-old New Zealand tourist, identified by the initials TJS, went missing at the billabong after trying to save his German girlfriend who had been pulled out to sea —she was later saved by a snorkeller.
Before then, in 2016, Australian Brad Williams and his wife Lestari, and her eight-year-old sister, were hit by a wave while walking along rocks at the billabong. Mr Williams is the only one to make it out alive. His wife’s body washed up on the shore the following day.