Panaji: At least one tourist was rescued from drowning every day by lifeguards across Goa’s beaches and Dudhsagar waterfalls over the past year, from a total of 614 reported incidents. Those rescued included 450 Indians and 98 foreigners.Russians topped the list of foreign nationals requiring rescue, with 56 cases, followed by UK nationals with 13.Visitors from Maharashtra and Karnataka accounted for the highest number of domestic tourists saved from drowning along the state’s coastline.The Baga-Sinquerim stretch recorded the highest concentration of beach-related incidents.In North Goa, Calangute led with 103 incidents, followed by Baga (68), Sinquerim (61) and Candolim (58). In South Goa, Colva (55), Palolem (50), Mobor (38) and Agonda (35) emerged as the most incident-prone beaches.Oct recorded the highest number of incidents requiring lifesaver intervention with 67 cases, coinciding with the post-monsoon beach reopening and the onset of the tourism season. Dec, traditionally Goa’s busiest month, logged the highest overall volume of beach incidents, reflecting strain on coastal infrastructure during peak footfall periods.“In 2025, lifesavers even assisted 829 individuals through interventions that went beyond rescues, including locating missing children, returning lost articles, preventing thefts, administering first aid in case of suspected fractures, heat exhaustion, jellyfish stings, cuts, dehydration, missing persons and cardiac emergencies,” said chief executive officer of Drishti Marine, Navin Awasthi.In fact, children and young adults formed a significant proportion of those requiring assistance. Missing person incidents involving minors accounted for 97 cases, as children wandered away from families on crowded beaches. Lifesavers administered first aid to 110 victims for cuts from broken glass, injuries, stingray bites and stray dog bites. Twelve incidents involving stray dog bites were reported on beaches in 2025.Among individual beaches, Calangute recorded 85 incidents, while Colva topped South Goa with 52. Dona Paula in North Goa reported just one rescue, while Cola and Zalor beaches in South Goa also recorded one rescue each, the lowest in their respective districts.
