CALANGUTE : Six Russian nationals, two each at Calangute, Mandrem and Arambol beaches, were rescued by lifesavers over the busy weekend, which saw 12 persons rescued from drowning off the coastline.
At Calangute beach, two Russians, including a minor and a 36-year-old woman were rescued after a sudden wave engulfed them, necessitating their rescue.
At Mandrem, two other Russians, aged 38 and 34 years were rescued from drowning in two separate incidents by lifesaver Sakharam Bandekar who used a rescue tube and a surfboard to save them.
Mandrem beach witnessed a double rescue involving a couple from Chandigarh, both aged 32 years. After ignoring the lifesavers’ warnings against entering the sea due to the rough waters, the couple struggled to fight against a rip current. Lifesavers, Avinash Maiskar and Tanaji Bhagat rushed into the water using a surfboard and a rescue tube and brought both persons back to shore safely.
A 44-year-old resident from Karnataka was saved by lifesavers Nilesh Dhuri Chopdekar and Hari Chopdekar, when a rough rip current engulfed him off the Calangute beach. Over the weekend, a 13-year-old boy from Karnataka, who was reported missing, was located at Calangute Beach. He was handed over to his father by the lifesavers, who had conducted a search of the area within fifteen minutes after the boy was declared missing.
A Delhi resident, aged 23 years, along with two other friends were swimming off Arambol beach, when they were suddenly engulfed by a huge wave. Lifesaver Umesh Phadte, rushed into the water using a surfboard and brought the victim to the shore. At the same beach, a 38-year-old man from Maharashtra suddenly got pulled by a rip current, forcing lifesaver Ano Malekar to rush with a jet-ski and rescue him. Another Russian couple, both aged 54 years, were pulled into the deep sea due to rough undercurrents at Arambol beach. Lifesaver, Chetan Bandekar rushed into the water using a surfboard and brought both the individuals back to shore.
Patnem beach also witnessed the rescue of a 38-year-old man, who was struggling to escape the rip current. Lifesavers, Sachin Kirloskar, Vinesh Mugdekar and Vithoba Velip rescued the man with the help of a rescue tube and surfboard.
At Bambolim beach, lifesavers assisted in the arrest of a thief, who had stolen articles belonging to two foreigners, one of whom was swimming.
A thief grabbed their belongings and tried to run away. Upon noticing their desperate cries, on-duty lifesavers, along with the help of locals, caught the thief and handed him over to police personnel.
The lifesavers are working under Drishti Marine.
