BADUNG, Bali — A search is underway for a Russian national reported missing in southern Bali after a motorcycle and helmet were found near a cliff area in Pecatu, authorities said Saturday.

The foreign national is believed to have gone missing around Tanjung Mebulu in Pecatu, South Kuta, and had reportedly been out of contact since Wednesday, September 23.

The Denpasar Search and Rescue Office received the missing-person report at around 5:40 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, according to the agency’s chief, I Nyoman Sidakarya.

“The location believed to be the person’s last known whereabouts is around Tanjung Mebulu, Pecatu Village, South Kuta, Badung Regency,” Sidakarya said in a written statement.

Authorities said limited information and a lack of eyewitnesses initially complicated efforts to determine where the search should be concentrated.

Search and rescue officials coordinated with South Kuta Police and local authorities as they gathered information about the person’s possible last known movements.

Motorcycle and Helmet Found Near Karang Boma

Investigators also received information from residents about a motorcycle and helmet found parked around the Karang Boma cliff area in South Kuta.

“There was a report from the public about a motorcycle and helmet found parked around the Karang Boma cliff area in South Kuta,” Sidakarya said.

The motorcycle was secured by police because its owner was unknown.

Authorities are treating the location of the motorcycle and helmet as an initial lead in determining the search area. Officials have not confirmed the circumstances surrounding the person’s disappearance or whether the vehicle belonged to the missing Russian national.

Seven personnel from the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office were deployed to the area to begin the search.

Search Covers Cliffs and Coastline

Search teams are focusing on areas around Tanjung Mebulu and Karang Boma, including the cliffs and nearby coastline.

“The team will conduct a search around the location believed to be the person’s last known position, including the cliff and coastal areas around Tanjung Mebulu and Karang Boma,” Sidakarya said.

The joint search and rescue team continues to coordinate with relevant authorities to refine the search area using the information and clues currently available.

As of the latest update Saturday, authorities had not announced that the missing Russian national had been found.

The cause and circumstances of the disappearance remain unknown.