CALANGUTE: Two French children were rescued by lifeguards off Mandrem beach after they got trapped in a rip tide and were unable to swim back to shore.
The two boys, aged 13 and 16 years, were rescued by lifesavers, Siddhesh, Rohit, Hiran and Nagesh, who rushed to their aid and brought them back to shore using a rescue tube, surfboard and a jetski. Their vitals were found to be stable after examination.
“Goa’s beaches remain closed due to the ongoing monsoon season as the sea conditions continue to be rough and unpredictable. In this light, it is necessary to constantly monitor children while on the beach and not allow them to venture into the sea, no matter how shallow the water may appear,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine.
Over the last two years, 91 minors have been rescued by lifeguards, with 19 rescues reported at Baga beach. While Calangute beach and Morjim beach reported 17 and 13 rescues respectively, eight minors were rescued off Vagator beach, six off Morjim, four each off Candolim and Palolem beaches in the same period. Eleven minors had to be administered first-aid after they were rescued by lifesavers.
Awasthi stressed that parents or guardians should alert the nearest lifesaver in case of an emergency and pay close attention to safety announcements made by patrolling lifesavers.