Extended Dussehra Weekend: Nine beachgoers, including five foreigners rescued; three missing children traced by Drishti Marine Lifesavers along Goa coast

Goa Khabar : Five foreign nationals were among nine persons rescued by Drishti Marine lifesavers along Goa’s coastline during the extended Dussehra weekend, which witnessed a steady stream of visitors heading to the state’s popular beaches. During the extended weekend, lifesavers also assisted in locating three children who had gone missing on beaches and administered first aid to one swimmer.

Cavelossim beach: An 80-year-old Russian woman was approximately 10–15 metres inside the sea at chest level when she panicked due to waves and began drowning. Lifesavers Ashish S Gaonkar and Yuvraj Velip promptly rushed in with a rescue tube and safely brought her back to shore. Two men, aged 22 and 23 from Punjab, were swimming about 50 metres from shore when they got caught in a sudden dip in the sea. Lifesavers Laxman Gaonkar and Girish Gurudas Velip, who were stationed nearby, rushed in with a rescue tube and brought the duo safely back to shore.

Anjuna beach: A 20-year-old Swedish man, who was swimming with a friend, was caught in a rip current and began struggling to return to shore. Lifesavers Rahul Shirodkar and Saish Ashok Shirodkar rushed in with rescue tubes and brought him safely ashore.

Mandrem beach: A 24-year-old Russian man was caught in a rip current while swimming and was rescued by lifesavers Vitorino Francis D’ Souza and Captain Nagesh Suresh Sarng using a rescue board and jetski, with assistance from Umesh Phadte, who rushed to participate in the rescue operation from the nearby Arambol beach.

Keri beach: A 28-year-old woman from Russia was caught in a rip current, while swimming off the coastline, when her discomfort was spotted by lifesaver Dinanath Dnyaneshwar Tandel, who, using a rescue board, rushed to her rescue and safely brought her ashore.

Morjim beach: A 35-year-old Russian man began struggling in a rip current and signalled for help. Lifesaver Mahadev Gawade alerted the tower and rushed in with a rescue tube, while Amon Salgaonkar used a rescue board and Shant Parab launched a jetski and the team successfully brought the victim back to shore.

Arambol beach: Two men, aged 24 and 25 from Bengaluru, were caught in a rip current while swimming and were rescued by lifesavers Priyesh Harishchandra Kubal and Vishnu Vilas Kubal using a rescue board, with assistance from Umesh Vasudev Padate on a jetski.

Mobor beach: A 30-year-old woman from Bengaluru sustained a stingray-related cut on her left leg while swimming. Lifesaver Utkarsh Velip promptly rushed to her assistance, administering her first aid and advised her to seek further medical treatment.

Colva beach: A four-year-old boy from Karnataka was found alone on the popular South Goa beach by lifesavers Arun Shirodkar and Gauresh Gaude. The lifesavers then launched a search operation, following which the boy was safely reunited with his parents after a due verification process was followed. At the same beach, a four-year-old girl from Kerala was also found all alone by beach marshal Gauresh Gaude. The lifesavers took the stranded child to the local lifesaver tower and launched a search operation, which included making public announcements for nearly half an hour. After making headway, the local police were informed about the incident. After the parents were eventually traced, the child was handed over to them after following the verification process.

Calangute–Candolim beach stretch: A five-year-old boy from Chitradurga, Karnataka, who was reported lost at Calangute, was eventually traced at Candolim through the joint efforts of beach lifesaver administrator Sourabh Sanjay Patil, captain Chandan Giri and beach marshal Brajkishor Kushvaha and was safely reunited with his family.