Story By: Anastasia Smirnova, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
This beautiful Russian student has drowned at sea while spending a dream winter break with two best friends on the Indonesian island of Bali.
Avelina Nazarova, 22, visited Bali with two close pals and one of them shared photos of their last night together, just hours before the tragic incident, with the message: “Looking into our carefree future with my ladies. Love you to bits, thank you for being part of my life.”
Nazarova, who was born in the city of Kazan in the western Russian republic of Tatarstan, visited Pasut Beach with her friends on the fateful day.
As the beach is known for its beautiful palm trees and relatively few people go there, the group decided to take snaps.
Even though the waves were strong, Avelina decided to go in the water to take a memorable photo.
However, the current was stronger than she expected and Nazarova, who was said to be a good swimmer, was dragged out to sea and unable to get back.
A 31-year-old man, identified as Ivan, who accompanied the three friends to the beach that day, waded into the water to help Nazarova and nearly died in the process, according to local media.
Nazarova’s friend Karina Kurbanova, 22, said: “She went out of view and seemed to be swallowed by a big wave. Ivan said she was screaming for help and was losing her breath. He tried to rescue her, but the waves were too strong and he was dragged further out.
“When he reached her, she was already unconscious. He had also swallowed a lot of water and barely managed to get back to shore. We carried out CPR on Avelina, but it was already too late.”
Local media said that it will cost the victim’s parents 6,000 USD (4,640 GBP) to fly her corpse back to Russia. It is unclear whether the fee will be covered by the insurance.
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