Tragic Goa Boat Accident: 1 Dead, 20 Rescued After Vessel Capsizes Off Calangute Beach

Tourist boat capsizes in the Arabian Sea; heroic efforts by lifesavers rescue 20 passengers, including children.

December 26, 2024: Panaji: A 54-year-old man tragically lost his life, and 20 others were rescued after a tourist boat capsized in the Arabian Sea off Calangute Beach, Goa, on Wednesday.

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Incident Details

• The accident occurred around 1:30 PM, approximately 60 meters from the coastline, police officials reported.
• Among the passengers were children as young as six years old, women, and a family of 13 from Khed, Maharashtra.
• While most passengers were wearing life jackets, two individuals on board were not equipped with safety gear.

Lifesaving Response

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• Personnel from Drishti Marine, the government-appointed lifesaving agency, immediately responded to the emergency.
• 18 on-duty lifesavers rushed to the scene, rescuing all the passengers and bringing them to shore.
• First aid was administered on-site, while critically injured individuals, including two children (aged six and seven) and two women (aged 25 and 55), were hospitalised.

Witness Account

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The spokesman for Drishti Marine described the dramatic rescue:
“Upon witnessing the boat capsizing, a lifesaver rushed to provide aid and summoned backup. Despite the challenging conditions, all passengers were safely brought ashore.”

Goa’s Peak Tourist Season

The incident unfolded during Goa’s peak tourist season, with the state bustling with visitors for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Recent Similar Accident

The tragedy comes just a week after a Navy craft crash off the Mumbai coast resulted in 15 fatalities. In that incident, a speeding Navy vessel undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with the passenger ferry ‘Neel Kamal’, which was en route to the Elephanta Island caves with over 100 passengers on board.

Safety Concerns Raised

The Calangute boat accident and the Mumbai ferry collision highlight increasing safety concerns in coastal tourism activities. Authorities are urged to enforce stricter regulations and conduct rigorous safety checks to prevent future mishaps.

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Tags: Goa Boat Accident, Calangute Beach Incident, Arabian Sea Tragedy, Drishti Marine Rescue, Tourist Safety Goa, Boat Capsizing Goa, Coastal Safety India, Goa Christmas Tourism