~ 165 missing children traced on Goa’s beaches in 2023.
~ Calangute reported 213 incidents which accounted for the highest number of incidents on beaches.
~ October witnessed the highest rescues with 133 reported incidents.
Panaji: Over 700 persons were rescued along Goa’s beaches of which 469 were saved from drowning by lifesavers off Goa’s coastline and two major water bodies in the state over the last calendar year 2023. Calangute beach reported the most number of incidents in the same period, according to statistics shared by Drishti Marine, Goa’s state-appointed lifesaving and rescue agency.
Of the 469 water-based rescue incidents, 397 were Indian nationals, including residents of Goa, while 72 foreigners were rescued in 2023.
In addition to 469 rescues conducted, 165 individuals were assisted to safety by lifesavers, who also administered critical first-aid to 68 persons in 2023.
The month of October, which marks the formal beginning of Goa’s tourism season, witnessed the highest rescues, with 133 rescues reported in the month, followed by 70 in November and 52 in December last year, according to statistics.
Of the several incidents that take places off the coast which includes water based rescues, medical emergencies, assisted to safety, first persons in the age bracket of 12 years and below accounted for 178 incidents, the highest number of incidents across various age categories while the age group of 19 to 25 years accounted for 175 incidents and 35 to 45 years accounted for 165 incidents.
Drishti Marine’s lifesavers are the first responder to any medical emergencies which arise on the state’s coast. In the year 2023, first-aid was administered to 68 individuals across the designated beaches where lifesavers are deployed. Unfortunately, all through 2023, six persons also succumbed to the waters.
“From January to December, there were 165 cases of missing children, where young ones wandered away from their families, forcing frantic parents and family members to reach out to the lifesavers for help, Drishti Marine’s alert team has successfully closed all reported missing children cases, reuniting them with their parents,” Awasthi said.
Like in 2022, Calangute beach witnessed the highest rescue number of incidents in 2023 with 213 incidents, followed by 116 in Baga, 67 in Arambol, while Morjim accounted for 39, Mandrem reported 30 incidents and Candolim accounted for 28. In South Goa, Palolem reported 42 incidents and Colva reported 37 such rescue incidents.
Drishti Marine began operations in Goa in 2008. A total of 200 drowning deaths had occurred in the previous year, which prompted the state government to take immediate measures and put together an efficient system to curb drowning-related deaths.
The lifesaving service has led to a 99 percent reduction in deaths due to drowning and significantly improved the tourist experience in Goa. Over 7000 lives have been saved since then, due to intervention and rescue operations by Drishti Marine’s lifesavers.
