A Sunday picnic turned tragic for a group of around 23 persons from Candolim and Mapusa when their family members met a watery grave at Keri Beach. The bodies of 24-year-old Mohammad Bakir Ali and 18-year-old Shakina Khatun were recovered on Sunday itself, while the bodies of 18-year-old Mohammad Ali and 14-year-old Tabasum Khatun from Candolim were recovered on Monday morning. The Pernem Police conducted the panchanama and sent the bodies to GMC for post-mortem examination, the report of which is awaited. Further investigations are on, police said.
The incident occurred at around 5 pm on Sunday when the group was walking towards Sweet Lake in Arambol from Keri beach when four persons including two girls retreated towards the rocky area to take selfies. Despite the ‘No Selfie Zone’ cautionary sign boards warning of danger, the four ventured towards the rocky area and were hit by a sudden strong wave pulling them into the sea.
A lifesaver on duty, who launched an immediate rescue operation, immediately called for backup and rushed into the waters to rescue the four victims. A jet ski was also pressed into service to trace the missing persons.
Two of the four persons were brought to the shore where a team of lifesavers administered CPR while the ambulance was called, but both were declared dead. Asif, another youth, who had gone to save those from drowning, sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) at Bambolim.
The Pernem Police conducted the panchanama and sent the bodies to GMC for post-mortem examination, the report of which is awaited. Further investigations are on, police said.
