the goan I network
MAPUSA
Five tourists were rescued in three separate incidents at Baga and Candolim.
According to Drishti reports, a group of three tourists from Mumbai were spotted swimming in a non-swimming zone along with friends. Two lifeguards manning the point requested them to move into the swim-zone which is safer. However, they ignored the warnings and continued being stationed at the same location. Soon after, they got caught in a rip current and were dragged 10-15 mtrs into the sea.
A lifeguard noticed the victims put out a distress call and rushed to their aid. The backup team of lifeguards rushed in and secured the victims to the board and brought them ashore to safety.
In a similar incident which took place a few minutes earlier at Baga, a male tourist was rescued by lifeguards after he was spotted swimming in a non-swim zone. He, too, got caught up in a rip current and had to be rescued by the lifeguards.
Candolim also witnessed an incident where a rip current dragged two male Indian tourists into the sea.
At about 4.10 pm in Candolim, a group of male Indian tourists were swimming in a no-swim zone at a distance of 20-25 mtrs seawards. One person suddenly got swept into the sea in a rip current and called out for help. A lifeguard rushed to the spot along with a board and secured the victim.
Said P N Pandey, Sr GM of Drishti Marine, “We advise caution to all those visiting the beaches and request them to pay heed to the instructions of the lifeguards. Due to weather and sea conditions, there are underwater and rip currents which are not easily detectable. However, the lifeguards monitor the shore closely and set up safe swim zones in areas and hence, it is advisable to venture only in the safe swim zones.”
The state government has issued an advisory cautioning visitors not to venture into the sea due to the unfavourable weather and sea conditions.
