Body found in search for London tourist in Bali

Harrison Edward Nada Kontounas, 23, went missing on Wednesday in Bali

A body has been found in the search for a Londoner who is believed to have drowned while on holiday on the island of Bali, Indonesia, officials have said.

Harrison Kontounas, 23, had been swimming with two friends on Legian Beach, Denpasar on Wednesday when a strong current pulled him beneath the waves.

According to a local search and rescue team, his body was found on Friday afternoon about one mile from the spot where he was last seen.

An online fundraising page set up by Mr Kontounas's loved ones described him as "gentle, kind, funny, and full of life".

"His warmth and loyalty touched everyone who knew him. He leaves us far too soon, but he will never be forgotten," the fundraising page stated.

Rescue teams say there began the search on Wednesday but they have been criticised responding slowly

The RCC Denpasar search team said searches were undertaken along the coastline using boats, jet skis and drones on Wednesday and Thursday without success.

On Friday, the team scoured another stretch of coastline heading north, according to the team's Instagram account.

Nyoman Sidakarya, head of Denpasar Search and Help Office said the body was found at 12:30 central Indonesian time (05:30 BST) and taken to Ngoerah Central General Hospital.

"It was confirmed, the body found was Harrison Edward Nada Kontounas," Mr Sidakarya said.

Mr Kontounas' friends had previously criticised the way the search was carried out, claiming lifeguards took three hours to arrive and said they paid £1,700 for a search helicopter as there was no official air support.

An online fundraiser has been set up by his family to pay for the repatriation of his body, a funeral and for additional air rescue helicopters.

The fundraising page stated: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that Harrison Nada-Kantounas, 23, has been found... offshore from Kuta Beach, Bali. He was taken by a rip current on Wednesday afternoon.

"We want to thank everyone who searched, donated, and shared his story."