PANAJI: The Panaji coastal police arrested the operators of a water sports boat, which capsized off the Calangute coast yesterday resulting in the death of one tourist from Maharashtra.
Police arrested boat operators Dharappa Zirali (42, Belgaum) and Ibrahim Saab (34, Shimoga) in connection with the case. A case has also been registered against the boat owner, Meena Coutinho.
The Captain of Ports (CoP) has suspended passenger boat licence GOA-825-WS for alleged negligence.
The boat, carrying nearly 20 tourists, capsized yesterday afternoon, resulting in the death of Suryakant Pophalkar (45), a resident of Khed Ratnagiri. Five others, including a five-year-old boy, are in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at GMC
Other passengers also consisted of 13 members of the Pophalkar family, who had come to Goa for a Christmas vacation. The boat had a capacity of about 10 pax but carried 20. The boat engine reportedly stopped about 100 meters from the shore, causing the operator to lose control. The vessel overturned after a strong wave hit it during its second round in the sea.
Investigations into the case are ongoing.
