A tragic incident has come to light in the Arabian Sea near Calangute beach in the northern part of Goa. A 54-year-old man died after a tourist boat capsized, while the rescue team acted promptly and saved 20 passengers safely. The incident happened on Saturday afternoon at around 1.30 pm. Women and small children were also among the passengers on the boat.
incident details
According to police officials, most of the passengers on the boat were wearing life jackets. Only two people were without this safety equipment. Officials said, “The age of the person who lost his life in the incident was 54 years. The rescued passengers were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.”
How did the accident happen?
Drishti Marine, a government agency responsible for maritime safety services in Goa, said the incident occurred about 60 meters from the beach. As soon as the boat overturned, all the passengers fell into the sea. According to Drishti Marine spokesperson, the boat was carrying 13 members of a family from Khed in Maharashtra. As soon as the boat capsized, an employee of Drishti Marine reached the spot and started rescue operations and sent a team for additional help.
Children and women in boats
The rescued passengers included two children aged 6 and 7. Apart from these, two women aged 25 and 55 were also rescued. Everyone was discharged from the hospital after first aid.
Tourism and security concerns in Goa
The incident occurred during the peak tourism season in Goa, especially around Christmas and New Year. A large number of tourists reach here at this time. Last week, 15 people lost their lives when a speeding navy boat rammed into a boat named ‘Neel Kamal’ in Maharashtra.
administrative action
After the accident, the local administration has started investigation. Preliminary investigation found that there were more people on the boat than its capacity. This was a violation of safety standards. Taking this matter seriously, the government has asked to reconsider maritime security and implement strict standards.
Such incidents are a matter of concern in a popular tourist destination like Goa. The local administration and tourism department need to ensure that safety rules are strictly followed, so that such incidents can be avoided in future.
