Goa Boat Tragedy: One Dead, 20 Rescued After Tourist Vessel Capsizes Near Calangute Beach
Goa Boat Tragedy: One Dead, 20 Rescued After Tourist Vessel Capsizes Near Calangute Beach(Representation Pic)
In a tragic incident, a tourist boat capsized in the Arabian Sea off Calangute Beach in North Goa on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the death of a 54-year-old man and the rescue of 20 others, police said. The mishap occurred around 1:30 PM.
“A 54-year-old man died, and 20 others were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment after the boat they were traveling in capsized,” a senior police official stated.
The spokesman for Drishti Marine, a government-appointed lifesaving agency, said the boat overturned about 60 meters from the coastline, causing all passengers to fall into the water. “A family of 13 members from Khed in Maharashtra was among the passengers on board,” he added.
On witnessing the incident, a Drishti Marine personnel immediately rushed to provide aid and called for backup. “In total, 18 on-duty lifesavers responded swiftly, rescuing the struggling passengers and bringing them safely ashore,” the spokesman said.
According to officials, all but two passengers were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. The passengers included children as young as six years old and women.
The injured passengers were administered first aid on-site, while those in critical condition were transported to a medical facility via ambulance. Among the 20 rescued, two children aged six and seven, and two women aged 25 and 55, required further medical attention.
Goa, a popular tourist destination, witnesses increased activity during the Christmas and New Year season.
This incident follows another tragic maritime accident just a week earlier, where a speeding Navy craft undergoing engine trials lost control and crashed into the passenger ferry Neel Kamal off the Mumbai coast.
