BAGA: In three different incidents, the Drishti lifeguards rescued six male tourists on Monday evening along the Candolim-Baga stretch.
On Monday, a group of three tourists from Mumbai were spotted in the non-swim zone along with friends at 4.30 pm at Baga beach. Lifeguards, Anand and Ketan 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. Few minutes later they got caught in a rip current and were dragged 10 to 15 meters into the sea. One of the lifeguards noticed the victims in distress and 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 safety.
A similar incident took place few minutes earlier at Baga itself where a male tourist was rescued by lifeguards, Anand and Mahesh. He was also spotted swimming in the non-swim zone and got caught up in a rip current.
The Candolim beach as well witnessed a similar incident where a rip current dragged two Indian tourists into the sea at 4.10 pm. They too were swimming in the no-swim zone at a distance of 20-25 meters seawards. Lifeguard Vinod observed the victim in distress and rushed to the spot along with a board to secure the victims and brought them ashore.
The Senior General Manager, Drishti Marine, PN Pandey stated that they 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 hence it is advisable to venture only in the safe swim zones,” he stated in the incident report released by Drishti Marine.
The state government has also issued an advisory cautioning visitors not to venture into the sea due to the unfavorable weather and sea conditions. The state has witnessed rough sea conditions and rains over the past few days. The state appointed lifeguarding agency, Drishti Marine monitors the weather conditions daily and man the beach stretches.
