PONDA: While everywhere in Ponda Taluka Holi was celebrated with vibrant colour, dance and music, the festival turned tragic for a family and friends after two youth, drowned in the Ganjem river at Usgao. A group of 40 people had gone to the Ganjem riverside for a picnic to celebrate Holi, on Friday.
The names of the deceased are Prakash Shankarappa Hadpad (aged 20) student and Sharnappa Sangappa Hadpad (20) both resident of Khandpaband Ponda and natives of Karnataka.
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The incident occurred Friday evening at around 3.30 pm. To celebrate the Holi festival and also to beat the scorching heat, group of family and friends of around 40 members had gone for picnic at Ganjem river Usgao, Besides this there were some local also enjoying bath in river.
Suddenly two youth were struggling in the water. Locals rushed to their rescue but could not save them.
Later on locals removed the bodies from the river before Ponda Fire Brigade reached the spot. Locals however succeeded in rescuing the another youth from drowning.
The bodies were first taken to Primary Health Centre Khandepar and then to Hospicio Margao for post mortem
The incident reiterates the need for lifeguard and safety devices at all tourist spots and water bodies.
