A 21-year-old woman from New Zealand, Kaya Awhitu, has been found safe after going missing during a holiday in Bali, igniting concern among her family and friends. Awhitu traveled to the popular Indonesian island last Thursday, but her family lost contact with her starting from Sunday, leading them to issue a public plea for help when they were unable to reach her.
On Wednesday evening, news broke that Awhitu had been located by fellow tourists. A family member shared an update on social media, stating, "She was able to make contact with us. She is safe with someone we trust." This announcement brought a wave of relief after days of uncertainty and anxiety from her loved ones. Her family had been particularly worried, as Awhitu had failed to check in at the Rumah Surga Villa, which they believed was her accommodation.
Ubud Police Chief Gusti Nyoman Sudarsana confirmed that when police checked the villa on Wednesday morning, they found that Awhitu was not a registered guest. He explained that "all guests that stay at Rumah Surga Villa are renting the villa monthly, and all guests have been there since last year," which intensified fears regarding her safety.
The situation escalated when Awhitu's partner was left waiting for her at a designated meeting spot by a barge, but she never arrived. Growing increasingly concerned, he returned to the villa only to find that everything was packed and that Awhitu had not made any contact with anyone since Sunday. Family member Shar Roberts expressed her fears in a video posted to Facebook, stating her family was deeply worried, emphasizing, "This is not like her. We are so worried."
Roberts implored anyone who might have seen Awhitu to come forward, adding that her family was anxious for her well-being, especially her children, who were missing their mother. “If anybody hears anything, she's going to be grounded when we hear from her," Roberts remarked, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
As the search continued, an additional facet of concern arose. Roberts revealed that Awhitu had trouble accessing her bank account, stating, "She can't log into her [bank]; all her cards have been hacked, and she's got nothing on her." This detail raised alarm bells about her well-being and security during her time away from home.
Finally, on Wednesday night, Roberts shared a "positive update" confirming that Awhitu had been found safe. She expressed gratitude to everyone who shared the post and assisted in the search, hoping that her friend could return home the following day. "Hopefully we get her back tomorrow (Thursday)," she concluded, maintaining optimism after a distressing few days.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade noted that the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta had been providing support and assistance during the search for Awhitu, ensuring that her family received the help they needed while dealing with this worrying situation.
Awhitu's disappearance and subsequent reappearance shed light on the challenges faced by travelers and the importance of consistent communication with loved ones, particularly when exploring foreign destinations. As family and friends rejoice in her safe return, the incident serves as a reminder to prioritize safety when traveling abroad.
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