CALANGUTE: More than 700 persons were rescued off Goa’s beaches and two major water bodies, of which 469 were saved from drowning in 2023. The highest number of 229 rescues were made from Calangute-Baga beach stretch, which witnesses huge waves and dangerous rip currents. Candolim accounted for 28 such rescues, according to lifesaving and rescue agency appointed by the State government.
October witnessed the highest rescues with 133 reported incidents, followed by 70 in November and 52 in December last year, according to statistics. Of the 469 water-based rescue incidents, 397 were Indian nationals, including residents of Goa, while 72 foreigners were rescued. Lifesavers also administered critical first-aid to 68 persons in 2023.
From January to December 2023, there were 165 cases of missing children, where young ones wandered away from their families, forcing frantic parents and family members to reach out to lifesavers for help. All of them were reunited with their parents and family members.
Persons in the age bracket of 12 years and below accounted for 178 incidents, the highest number of incidents across various age categories, while the age group of 19 to 25 years accounted for 175 incidents and 35 to 45 years accounted for 165 incidents.
