A 45-year-old tourist from Maharashtra died while 12 others were rescued after a boat ferrying tourists capsized off Calangute beach in North Goa Wednesday, coastal police said.
The incident took place around 12.30 pm when a ‘watersports’ boat was ferrying tourists, police said. The boat had the driver, helper and 11 members of a family from Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district aboard.
“According to preliminary information, the boat was about 70 metres from the coastline when its motor is alleged to have malfunctioned, following which it flipped and was swept by waves,” a police officer said. “All the passengers aboard were rescued by lifesavers and brought ashore. All 13 passengers were rushed to a primary health centre. One person was declared dead on arrival, while six passengers were referred to Goa Medical College for observation and treatment. Their condition is stable.”
Police identified the deceased as Suryakant Pophalkar (45), a native of Khed in Ratnagiri district. Two children aged four and five were among those who were rushed to the primacy health centre for checkup. Police said inquest proceedings have been initiated, adding that they will probe if any negligence is found.
Antony Coutinho, boat owner, told the media that the boat’s motor suddenly stopped working, due to which it capsized.
One of the passengers, however, claimed that the boat capsized since it was overloaded and one passenger was not provided a life jacket.
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