Team Goemkarponn
COLLEM: Tragedy struck Tambdimall in Collem when two teenage cousins drowned while swimming in the Dudhsagar River, sending shockwaves through the local community already reeling from a recent drowning incident in the area.
The victims, identified as Omkar Dendin (17) and Sagar Dendin (17), reportedly entered the river for a swim and were swept into deeper waters, where they struggled to stay afloat.
Police said the boys had left home along with Omkar’s younger brother. Family members were reportedly told they were heading to a nearby playground. However, the trio instead made their way to the riverbank.
The younger sibling allegedly warned the two teenagers against venturing into the water. Despite the caution, the cousins decided to take a swim, reportedly because Sagar’s visit to Goa was coming to an end and he was due to return to Karnataka shortly.
Shortly after entering the river, both boys found themselves in distress. The younger brother immediately sought help and alerted family members, triggering a rescue effort involving local residents and police personnel.
The teenagers were eventually brought out of the water and rushed to the Primary Health Centre at Pile in a 108 ambulance. Doctors, however, declared them dead when they arrived at the facility.
Omkar, whose family has been settled in Collem for several years, was pursuing an ITI course, while Sagar, a resident of Bagalkot in Karnataka, was studying in the commerce stream. He had come to Collem only a few days earlier to spend time with relatives.
The latest incident has intensified concerns over safety along the Dudhsagar River. Just over a week ago, four young men drowned at Metawada, located a short distance away, making Sunday’s deaths the sixth and seventh fatalities linked to the river in less than two weeks.
Residents said warning boards installed after the earlier tragedy have done little to deter people from entering risky stretches of the river. Villagers claimed that visitors continue to ignore safety instructions, particularly during weekends and holidays.
Local authorities once again appealed to the public to avoid swimming in unfamiliar or dangerous sections of rivers, especially during the monsoon season when water levels and currents can change rapidly.
The twin deaths have left the village in mourning, with residents calling for stricter monitoring and stronger preventive measures to avert further tragedies.
