Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Drishti Marine lifesavers rescued 18 beachgoers from drowning in a series of incidents across Goa’s beaches over the weekend, including multiple rescues at Arambol and Ashwem.
At Arambol beach, Drishti Marine lifesavers Sakharam Bandekar and Ganajay Sawant rescued two tourists in their 20s from West Bengal after they were caught in a flash rip current. The duo, believed to be weak swimmers, were spotted in distress and brought to safety using a rescue boat and rescue tube.
In another incident at the same beach, lifesavers carried out a triple rescue, saving three teenage tourists from Bengaluru who had ventured into a red-flagged no-swimming zone. The boys, who were non-swimmers, were assisted by lifesavers Harsad Chandekar, Priyesh Kuble and Dattaguru Korgankar using a rescue tube, rescue boat and jet ski before being safely brought back to shore.
At Ashwem beach, lifesavers Rupesh Kerkar, Leslie Rodriguez, Nagesh Sarang and Hiren Kelushakar rescued four tourists — two men and two women aged between 39 and 49 — from the sea after they ventured into red-flagged waters. The tourists from Kolkata were brought safely to shore using a jet ski, rescue board and rescue tubes.
At Baga beach, two tourists from Bengaluru aged 24 and 35 were rescued after they were caught in a rip current. Lifesavers Siddesh Bhosle, Saurav Kumar, Sandesh Paryekar and Sudar Singh rushed to their aid using rescue boats and tubes after the men shouted for help.
At Calangute beach, lifesaver Shivam Rajbhar rescued a 45-year-old tourist from Hubballi who had entered the sea despite repeated warnings. He got caught in a flash rip current and was rescued using a rescue boat.
Two separate rescues were also reported at Candolim beach. A 48-year-old tourist from Germany was rescued by lifesaver Manoj Manjhi after he got caught in a flash rip current while swimming. In another incident, two women tourists from Hubballi ventured into the waters despite warnings about rip currents and were rescued by lifesaver Ratish Chodankar using a rescue tube.
At Utorda beach, a 34-year-old shack worker was rescued after he became exhausted while swimming and was unable to return to shore. As he was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, the incident was reported to the shack owner and the Goa Police.
At Varca beach, lifesaver Dinesh Gaonkar rescued a 39-year-old woman who began to drown while swimming.
Meanwhile, at Agonda beach, a 33-year-old woman from Gujarat was rescued after a large wave dragged her deeper into the water while she was enjoying the sea with her partner. Lifesaver Dinesh Velip secured her with a rescue tube and brought her safely back to shore.
All the rescued individuals are reported to be safe. Drishti Marine officials reiterated their appeal to beachgoers to follow safety flags and heed warnings issued by on-duty lifesavers.
