VASCO
What began as a monsoon outing with friends ended in tragedy when a 19-year-old youth drowned in an abandoned well at Zuarinagar on Wednesday afternoon, triggering a major rescue operation involving the Vasco Fire and Emergency Services and Drishti Marine lifesavers.
The deceased was identified as Amrut Pundalik Parmar, a resident of Zorint, Zuarinagar, and a native of Karnataka. He had reportedly arrived in Goa around 15 days ago and was staying with relatives.
According to information available, Parmar and a group of friends had gathered at an abandoned well located on a Reliance property to bathe and enjoy the rain. The well, estimated to be around nine metres deep, has remained unused since the closure of the Reliance power plant years ago.
A source said Parmar did not know how to swim and had entered the water while holding onto a rope for support.
"He had come with friends to bathe in the well. After the others finished and came out, they realised he was missing. His clothes were lying outside, but there was no sign of him in the water. The group immediately raised an alarm and informed emergency services," the source said.
Another youth who was present at the spot said around 15 to 20 people were swimming in the well at the time. "He wanted to enjoy the rain with us and entered the water while holding a rope. When we came out, he could not be found. We searched for him and later called for help," he said.
The Vasco Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the site along with disaster management personnel. As the well was reportedly contaminated with garbage and plastic waste, Drishti Marine was called in to assist with the operation. Following an intensive search operation, the body was recovered from the well and handed over to the police for further legal formalities.
