Legian, Bali: Desperate search for missing British tourist Harrison Kontounas after he was swept out to sea

One of Bali’s most popular beaches is the scene of a frantic search after a tourist was swept away during a swim in monstrous surf conditions.

British holidaymaker Harrison Kontounas, 23, from Ilford in east London, was in the ocean with a group of friends at Legian beach on Wednesday when he was caught in the strong current and waves as high as 2.5 metres.

Denpasar search and rescue teams reported that Mr Kontounas was pulled under the waves and did not resurface before the alarm was raised.

“We need help to find our friend dead or alive before it’s too late,” said Freddie Palmer, who was with Mr Kontounas when he went missing.

Mr Palmer claims lifeguards took at least three hours to arrive on the scene and the group had to pay nearly $AU3500 to hire a helicopter to join the search, BBC reports.

“We are traumatised. We just believe that the authorities here could have acted quicker and maybe he would be sitting here with us right now,” Mr Palmer said.

“We have put in more hours looking as a three than they did in the first 24 hours.”

Search and rescue chief Nyoman Sidakarya said Mr Kontounas was reported missing at 6.40pm local time on Wednesday and the organisation has engaged boats, jet skis and drones as the search continues.

“So far the joint (search and rescue) team has not been able to find any signs of the victim’s presence,” it said.

Mr Sidakarya cautioned visitors to Bali to take care when visiting the beach and avoid swimming in dangerous conditions.

The British Foreign Office released a statement saying it was “supporting the family of a missing British national in Indonesia and are liaising with local authorities”.