Goa govt suspends water sports after death of Russian tourists

Panaji, Oct 30: The

government here suspended all water sports activity across the state following the fresh incident of death of three

nationals near here during a water sport activity being operated illegally.

It was brought into notice of the government that several water sports in Goa were running illegally and an order was issued in this regard by the department of Ports last evening. The order comes a day after three Russian women died when their boat capsized in a sea near Betul village on Tuesday, 60 kms from here.

"All water sports operators and owners are hereby directed to stop all water sports operations and activities on the designated beaches of Goa, with immediate effect, until further order," the order read.

The department of Ports has issued licence to 1,500 people to run water sports but there is a sizable number of people who are working illegally. The boat operator, who was ferrying the Russian tourists was running operations without any licence, following the incident, police has booked a case against the operator.

Head, Department of Ports, James Braganza told reporters last evening that the operator was working without proper life safety equipments like jackets.

PTI