Seven Japanese tourists missing in Bali while on scuba diving trip

Seven Japanese women are still missing despite two days of searches after they disappeared on a scuba diving trip in waters off Bali, police and reports said yesterday.

The group disappeared while diving near Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, police spokesman Hariadi said.

The seven - five tourists and two instructors - left Bali on Friday morning after renting a boat from the beach town of Sanur, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported.

Local police chief Nyoman Suarsika explained that the group began an afternoon dive in Nusa Penida's Crystal Bay mangrove area and did not surface, the report said. The weather was extreme at the time, with strong winds and rain. - AFP.