TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An Indian American student drowned on Monday afternoon (June 24) after being caught by the undertow at a beach in Kenting.
The 22-year-old National Tsing Hua University exchange student identified by the Mandarin surname Lo (羅) was swimming with eight other foreign students at Sail Rock Beach in Kenting National Park in Hengchun Township, reported ETtoday.
Lo and another student were then swept away by the undertow. The other student was able to grab onto a rock, but Lo disappeared.
The other students called for help. A nearby watersports owner rode a jet ski out to look for Lo and help the other student.
At 1:11 p.m., the Pingtung County Fire Department received a report that a swimmer had gone missing. It dispatched two vehicles, four personnel, and a boat to rescue Lo.
However, when they arrived at the scene at 1:25 p.m., Lo and his classmate had been pulled from the water by the jet ski owner. Although the other student was conscious, Lo was not breathing so the owner started CPR.
Paramedics continued CPR and rushed Lo to the Hengchun Tourism Hospital for emergency treatment. Doctors were unable to resuscitate Lo and he was pronounced dead at 2:50 p.m.
Lo enrolled in the College of Engineering last September and was pursuing a master's degree, focusing on AI compilers. He was praised as an outstanding student, highly regarded by both teachers and classmates.
National Tsing Hua University has contacted Lo's family and sent staff to assist with related matters. The Pingtung County Liaison Office of the Ministry of Education Campus Security Report Center and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) have also sent personnel to assist.
The Kenting National Park Headquarters said that at 9 a.m. on Monday, a red flag was raised on Sail Rock Beach, indicating no swimming allowed due to the strong undertow. During the summer vacation period (June 15 to Sept. 15), daily beach patrols are conducted each morning to assess conditions such as ocean currents and wave heights.
Based on these assessments, warning flags are raised at key beaches to alert visitors. Tourists are urged to follow these regulations to prevent similar tragedies.
