6  Missing Children Traced on Goa Beaches on Busy Christmas Day; Drishti Marine Lifesavers Rescue Six From Drowning

6  Missing Children Traced on Goa Beaches on Busy Christmas Day; Drishti Marine Lifesavers Rescue Six From Drowning

Panaji, December 26 – Six missing children were traced and reunited with their parents and guardians by Drishti Marine lifesavers along Goa’s coastline on a hectic Christmas Day, even as six persons were rescued from drowning, two tourists stung by jellyfish were administered first aid and a Russian tourist, who fell at a rocky beach patch, was provided medical attention during the period. 

Arambol beach: At the sweetwater lake at Arambol, a 33-year-old woman from Cunchelim near Mapusa waded in, but faced difficulty in navigating the water at a three metre-depth. Lifesaver Anna Malekar noticed her difficulty and used a rescue tube to assist and bring the victim to safety. At the same beach, a seven-year-old girl was found unaccompanied at Arambol beach. The receipt of the information about the missing child was followed by swift coordination between lifesaver Namdev Girap, tower staff and Drishti Marine’s vehicle patrol. The child’s father and uncle were eventually located and the child was handed to them after following mandatory protocol. 

Mandrem beach: Two 23-year-old men from Hyderabad, who had arrived at the beach in a group of four, were suddenly pulled into the water and were unable to swim back ashore. Lifesaver Dattaguru Korgaonkar responded using a rescue tube, assisted by Jatin Girap on a jet ski, and safely brought both victims ashore from approximately 70 metres.

Morjim beach: A man and woman from Mumbai faced difficulty while dealing with the sea water off the beach, which forced lifesaver Pramod Mahale to use a rescue board to rescue them. He was assisted by Ketan Nagvekar on a jet ski. 

Baga beach: Three young children went missing at the crowded Baga beach around Christmas and were safely traced by Drishti Marine lifesavers after prompt search operations. A three-year-old boy from Nashik was located at another section of the beach by lifesaver Sujan Nagvekar and reunited with his family after verification. A four-year-old boy from Bengaluru was later found by lifesaver Sajjan Mote and safely handed over to his family. In a separate incident, a nine-year-old girl who went missing from Baga beach was traced at a distant stretch of the same beach by lifesaver Saurav Kumar and reunited with her family after identity confirmation.

Calangute beach: A three-year-old boy from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, went missing from Calangute beach and was later found stranded by himself near the Calangute beach’s main entrance. Lifesaver Vinod Gaonkar ensured the child was handed over safely to his family after verification. 

Candolim beach:  A seven-year-old boy from Punjab encountered difficulty while swimming in the water off Candolim. Lifesaver Vikash Salgaonkar responded using a rescue tube and safely brought the child to shore. At the same beach, a three-year-old girl from Mumbai went missing at Candolim beach. After having wandered away, lifesaver Makhijul Mistri spotted the girl again and safely reunited the child with her family.

Baina beach: A 20-year-old male tourist from Jammu and Kashmir was stung by a jellyfish while swimming. He reported severe pain and was treated at the tower by Lifesaver Captain Raju Chalwadi. After stabilisation, the victim was released.

Benaulim beach: A 10-year-old boy from Pune suffered a jellyfish sting while in the water. On-duty lifesaver Utkarsh Velip directed the child to the tower, where supervisor Rajendra Naik administered first aid. The victim was stable after observation and released.

Palolem beach: A 42-year-old tourist from Russia slipped in a rocky area and sustained deep cuts on both legs near Palolem beach. Lifesavers provided immediate first aid and advised the victim to visit a hospital for further treatment.