A tragic incident has occurred in Bali involving an Australian tourist who lost her life during a dive.
According to local sources, 67-year-old Pamela Philip passed away following a brief dive at Manta Point, located off the coast of Nusa Penida Island, on Saturday morning. Reports indicate that Philip, a resident of Victoria, was an experienced diver.
On Saturday, Philip and her husband participated in a diving trip with a group of 11 other tourists at this well-known diving location in Bali.
“At approximately 10 a.m. local time, the victim began her dive and remained underwater for about eight minutes,” Agus Widiono told Detik Bali on Sunday.
Philip reportedly surfaced after eight minutes and attempted to return to the group’s boat. She expressed difficulty breathing and soon after lost consciousness once aboard.
“The boat crew attempted to administer first aid, but the victim did not regain consciousness,” Widiono stated. Philip was subsequently transported to Nusa Medica Clinic, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Her body was later transferred to Professor Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar for further examination. An autopsy is expected to be conducted upon her return to Australia.
A representative from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that consular support is being provided to the family of the deceased Australian in Bali. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends during this challenging time,” the spokesperson said.
“Due to privacy considerations, we are unable to share further details.”
Manta Point, along with Nusa Penida in southeastern Bali, is renowned for its exceptional diving opportunities.
As noted by The Bali Sun, the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area encompasses 20,057 hectares of ocean surrounding the islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Lembongan.
These waters are home to a rich variety of marine life, including manta rays, turtles, sunfish, and endangered coral reefs.
Diving with manta rays remains one of the most sought-after activities for tourists visiting the area.
