Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Drishti Marine lifesavers rescued eight persons from drowning incidents across Goa’s coastline over the weekend, while also foiling a theft attempt at Betalbatim beach. In addition, lifesavers administered first aid to two individuals and successfully traced two missing children on different beaches.
At Ashwem beach, a 64-year-old woman tourist from Pune was rescued after experiencing difficulty in the water. Lifesaver Chandrakant Devji responded using a rescue tube, with support from Darpan Revankar on a jet ski, and safely brought the woman to shore.
At Anjuna beach, a 24-year-old male tourist from Mumbai was caught in a rip current about 60 metres offshore. Lifesaver Vinod Salelkar carried out a swift rescue and brought the tourist safely back to land.
At Baga beach, an 18-year-old male tourist from Delhi was rescued after struggling in the water. Lifesaver Suvrabh Kumar used a rescue board to bring him safely ashore. At the same beach, a four-year-old boy from Pune was reported missing. A coordinated search operation was launched, and the child was traced at another stretch of the beach by lifesaver Biliyam Surim and reunited with his guardians after verification.
At Candolim beach, two male tourists aged 14 and 20 from Hyderabad were caught in a sudden flash rip current while swimming. Lifesavers Sunil Matondkar and Rohit Kandulna responded using rescue tubes and safely rescued both. At the same location, a 17-year-old teenager from Kazakhstan sustained a deep cut on his left foot, and lifesavers on duty administered first aid.
At Baina beach, a five-year-old boy from Uttar Pradesh suffered a jellyfish sting on his leg. Lifesaver Yallappa Chalwadi promptly provided first aid.
At Betalbatim beach, a Russian woman tourist reported her bag stolen while she was in the sea. Lifesaver Ganesh Mesta, who had earlier noticed a suspicious individual, followed and apprehended the suspect. The stolen bag was recovered and returned to the tourist.
At Agonda beach, three adults from Saligao—two men aged 35 and 40 and a 37-year-old woman—were caught in a rip current and began drowning. Lifesaver Datta Velip entered the water and secured two victims, while Pralhad Velip rescued another using a jet ski. With assistance from another lifesaver using a surfboard, all three were safely brought ashore.
At Palolem beach, a five-year-old girl from Rajasthan was reported missing by her parents. An immediate search operation, including public announcements through a patrol jeep, was initiated, and the child was located within 10 minutes and safely reunited with her parents. In another incident at the same beach, a foreign woman reported her bag missing. After alerting the tower captain, lifesavers conducted a search and located the bag within 30 minutes, returning it to the owner after due verification.
Drishti Marine officials lauded the vigilance and prompt response of the lifesavers, which helped prevent tragedies and ensured the safety of beachgoers across the state.
