MAPUSA
A heart-stopping incident at Baga beach has once again raised serious concerns over the safety of adventure tourism activities in Goa, after a parasailing cable snapped mid-air while a tourist was airborne.
The shocking episode, which was captured on video and is now widely circulating on social media, shows the parasailing cable suddenly giving way while the tourist was suspended high above the sea.
Moments of panic followed, with screams heard from others seated in the boat below as the situation quickly spiralled into a near-disaster.
Eyewitnesses said there was a sudden rush of fear as the harness appeared to lose stability after the snap. Fortunately, in what many are calling a narrow escape, the tourist was rescued without any reported injuries.
Taking serious note of the incident, officials from the tourism department have sought a detailed report from the operator.
Sources indicated that strict action could follow if negligence is established, including suspension or even cancellation of the operator’s licence.
The incident has once again put the spotlight on the regulation and monitoring of water sports activities along Goa’s coastline, particularly during peak tourist seasons when operators are under pressure to maximise rides.
This is not an isolated case.
In a similar incident reported earlier at Morjim, a parasailing mishap had triggered alarm over safety standards and equipment maintenance.
In the past, there have also been complaints of overcrowded boats, poorly maintained gear and untrained staff handling high-risk activities such as jet skiing, banana boat rides and parasailing.
Despite periodic crackdowns and guidelines issued by authorities, enforcement on the ground has often been questioned.
Tourism stakeholders have repeatedly called for stricter inspections, mandatory safety audits, and real-time monitoring of operators to prevent such close calls from turning fatal.
