Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Drishti Marine Beach Marshals and lifesavers responded promptly to multiple incidents across Goa’s coastline over the past week and weekend, including four cases of harassment involving women tourists, three medical emergencies, and one lost-and-found case, ensuring safety and timely police intervention wherever required.
Notably, follow-up procedures in two harassment incidents at Baga beach were captured on the body camera of a Drishti Marine Beach Marshal, marking one of the early instances where both the incident scene and the victim’s account were recorded live on video. At present, nearly 70 Beach Marshals are deployed across Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Colva and Benaulim beaches under the state’s beach safety and prevention-of-illegalities framework.
Baga Beach
Two separate harassment incidents involving foreign women tourists were reported during the week. In the first case, at around 3.45 pm on February 5, two male tourists from Telangana, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, harassed a foreign woman near the shoreline after she refused to take a selfie. One of the men attempted to put his arm around her and kiss her. Lifesavers intervened immediately and alerted Beach Marshal Laxmi Kholkar, who arrived along with a police constable. The victim was escorted to the lifesaver tower, while the accused were detained and taken to the police station.
In another incident at Baga, harassment of Russian women tourists was reported. Beach Marshal Kholkar and lifesaver Ankur intervened and informed the police. As the victims declined to file a formal complaint, the domestic tourists involved were issued a stern warning and allowed to leave.
Calangute Beach
At around 7.40 pm, a 23-year-old male tourist from Karnataka experienced fainting symptoms. Lifesavers Amir and Sandesh promptly placed him in the recovery position, administered first aid and monitored him until his condition stabilised.
In a separate incident at the same beach, a 40-year-old tourist from Chandigarh slipped while heading towards a restroom and sustained a bleeding head injury. Lifesavers Suraj Sawant and Amit Gaonkar rushed to his aid, provided first aid and shifted him to the Candolim Primary Health Centre for further treatment.
Colva Beach
On Friday evening around 9 pm, a group of seven to eight tourists from Karnataka were found filming and photographing Russian women without consent near the shoreline. Lifesavers intervened immediately, informed the on-duty captain and handed the men over to the Goa Police for further action.
Benaulim Beach
At 7.57 pm, lifesavers were alerted by family members about a missing 65-year-old male tourist from Carona village. Announcements were made and coordination was established with nearby towers. The individual was later traced at Varca Beach and, following police verification, was safely reunited with his family.
Agonda Beach
During an evening patrol, lifesaver Parshuram Pagi recovered a lost mobile phone. After public announcements and police verification, the phone was returned to its rightful owner. In another incident on the same beach, a 57-year-old Russian woman sustained leg injuries while walking through a rocky area. First aid was administered and she was advised medical consultation.
Patnem Beach
On Sunday evening, lifesavers noticed a group of five tourists from Bihar harassing and filming a couple from Pune without consent. The couple was escorted to safety, and the Goa Police were informed. Police arrived within 15 minutes, detained the accused tourists and took them for further action.
Drishti Marine officials reiterated their commitment to ensuring tourist safety, dignity and rapid emergency response across Goa’s beaches.
