Four Missing Children Traced; Lifesavers Address Dog Bite, Stingray-Related Injury During Extended Holi Weekend

Four Missing Children Traced; Lifesavers Address Dog Bite, Stingray-Related Injury During Extended Holi Weekend

Panaji, 17 March 2025 – Drishti Marine lifesavers remained vigilant during the extended Holi weekend, reuniting four missing children with their parents, providing first aid to beachgoers following a dog bite and stingray contact, and carrying out both single and double rescues along the state’s coastline.

Calangute Beach: A seven-year-old boy from Karnataka, separated from his parents, was handed over to lifesavers by a tourist. Public announcements were made along the beach, alerting the boy’s parents, and he was reunited with them after following official protocol.

Baina Beach: A lifesaver spotted an unescorted five-year-old child. The child informed the lifesaver that he had been separated from his uncle and aunt. Public announcements were made using a utility terrain vehicle, catching the attention of the boy’s uncle, who was then reunited with the child after due identification protocol.

Arambol Beach: Lifesavers were approached by parents searching for their missing child. A prompt search operation led to the child being located and handed over to the Mumbai-based parents, with police duly informed. In another incident on the same beach, a missing boy from Delhi was also found and reunited with his relatives.

Varca Beach: A 41-year-old Irish woman was stung by a stingray, leaving her in immense pain. Drishti Marine lifesavers administered first aid and transported her to her hotel.

Benaulim Beach: A Russian tourist was chased by six dogs and bitten by one while strolling on the beach. On-duty lifesavers rushed to her aid, administered first aid, and handed her over to 108 medical emergency personnel. In a double rescue at the same beach, two men – aged 27 and 30, from Haryana and Bengaluru – were caught in a rip current. Lifesavers Cleyton Vaz and Shrikant Velip quickly responded using a rescue tube and jetski, successfully bringing both to shore.

Palolem Beach: A 24-year-old man from Punjab sustained injuries while kayaking at sea. He attempted to climb a mid-sea rock, injuring his hand and leg. On his return, he sought assistance at the local lifesaver tower, where he was given first aid. At the same beach, a man from Mumbai slipped in a rocky area, injuring his right leg, and was administered first aid.

Baga Beach: A 24-year-old woman from Hyderabad, who drifted into deep water while swimming and began drowning, was rescued by a Drishti Marine lifesaver on a jetski. She was safely brought back to shore.