One person died after a tourist boat capsized in the Arabian Sea off the Calangute beach in Goa on Wednesday afternoon. At least 20 people have been rescued and taken to a nearby hospital.
The boat capsized nearly 60 metres away from the coastline, throwing everyone onboard to the rough sea. Fortunately, the lifeguards of Drishti Marine, a government-appointed life-saving agency, stationed at Calangute beach, quickly responded to the emergency and launched a rescue operation.
"Of the 20 passengers, two children aged six and seven each, and two women aged 25 and 55 each, were revived and hospitalised," said a spokesperson of Drishti Marine. He said two of the passengers were not wearing life jackets.
Those onboard also included a family of 13 from Khed in Maharashtra, who all have been rescued.
"A 54-year-old man died and 20 others were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment after the boat they were travelling in capsized," a senior police officer told PTI.
READ: 13 dead as boat capsizes after being hit by Navy craft off Mumbai coast
Authorities have launched an investigation though it is suspected that the overloaded nature of the boat may have contributed to the disaster.
Goa is a popular tourist destination, especially during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The incident came barely a week after a similar accident off the coast of Mumbai in which 13 people lost their lives. The Neel Kamal ferry with over 100 people onboard was on its way from India Gate to Elephanta Islands, a popular tourist destination, when it capsized after being hit by a Navy craft.