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More than 200 tourists stung by jellyfish at Yogyakarta beaches
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Indrayanti Beach in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, is popular with tourists. (Gunungkidul Tourism Agency/File)
M
ore than 200 tourists have been stung by venomous jellyfish during their visit to several beaches in Gunungkidul regency in Yogyakarta.
The Gunungkidul Tourism Agency began reopening beaches in the region on June 22.
According to reports, the number of affected travelers has reached 269 people, most of whom were stung at Sepanjang Beach (72 people), followed by Krakal Beach (63 people) and Pulang Sawal or Indrayanti Beach (48 people).
“Four visitors had to be taken to community health centers [Puskesmas] for breathing difficulty,” Gunungkidul area II public protection unit (Satlinmas) search and rescue secretary Surisdiyanto told kompas.com on Aug. 9.
The blue-colored jellyfish, locally known as impes, were carried by the waves and washed up on the beaches. Their intriguing shapes and colors often lead people, especially children, to touch them. Their sting usually causes itchiness on the skin, which sometimes can get worse and lead to breathing problems.
According to Surisdiyanto, the unit had teamed up with the locals to clean the beaches from the jellyfish.
“We can only advise visitors to avoid touching the jellyfish,” he said. “The beaches are still safe to visit as long as [tourists] follow the regulations.”
Between June 26 and July 2, around 114 tourists reportedly had been stung by jellyfish at Gunungkidul beaches.
Since being reopened, eight beaches in the Gunungkidul II area have welcomed 46,350 visitors. Satlinmas has so far issued warnings to 30 people for breaking health protocol, such as not wearing a face mask or failing to keep a safe distance from others. (wir/kes)
