Around 11 people have died after high waves swept away a group of people on a beach on Sunday February 13, in Indonesia’s East Java province.

The incident took place on Sunday despite warnings from authorities advising people to avoid the sea, AP reported citing officials.

Java Budi Santosa, Head of Operation Unit of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency told Xinhua that the accident occurred at about 12:25 am (local time) on Sunday when people were conducting a traditional ritual at the Payangan beach in Jember district.

The 11 people who have died were part of a group of 24 people from several villages who participated in a local ritual.

In the local ritual, participants had to swim in the ocean, AP reported citing officials from the Surabaya Search and Rescue Agency.

The 13 survivors including a 2-year-old girl at the Payangan beach in Jember district are undergoing treatment at a health clinic.