Strong Waves Claim Life of 18-Year-Old in Lombok; Camera Captures Her Final Smile
Source: SAYS
Tragedy struck at Semeti Beach in Lombok, Indonesia, on 19 December when 18-year-old Merlin Septiana was swept away by strong waves while taking photos with friends. In a haunting twist, a photograph taken moments before her disappearance captured Merlin smiling at the camera, sitting on rocks as the ocean surged behind her.
Desperate Attempts to Save Her Failed
According to Lalu Wahyu Efendi, head of the Mataram Search and Rescue Office, Merlin’s friends made frantic efforts to rescue her, using makeshift tools such as fishing rods and wooden sticks, but their attempts were in vain.
Footage from Viral Press showed Merlin clinging to a boulder in desperation as relentless waves battered her.
Body Recovered After Two Hours of Searching
The Central Lombok Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) located Merlin’s body two hours later, finding her lifeless after being repeatedly slammed against the jagged rocks. BPBD chief executive Ridwan Mak’ruf confirmed her death, adding that Merlin’s headphones may have muffled the sound of approaching waves, preventing her from reacting in time.
Her body has since been returned to her family in Tanak Awu village for final rites.
