Goa Dudhsagar Waterfall Tragedy: Four Students Drown During Picnic, One Survives

A day of fun and celebration turned into a heartbreaking tragedy in Goa after four young men, including three members of the same family, drowned near the Dudhsagar waterfall on Saturday. The group had reportedly travelled to the popular tourist destination for a picnic before their colleges reopened next week.

Police said one person from the group survived after remaining close to the riverbank, while locals and bystanders rushed to rescue the others. Despite their efforts, four of the five youths could not be saved.

Who Were the Victims?

The deceased have been identified as:

• Hiranna Mader (22)
• Ramanna Mader (19)
• Laxman Mader (19)
• Vijay Sajili (25)

According to police, Hiranna, Ramanna, and Laxman belonged to the same family, making the incident even more devastating for their loved ones.

The young men were students at MES Vasant Joshi College of Arts and Commerce in Zuarinagar, Sancoale, and were residing in the Vasco da Gama and Chicalim areas.

How the Tragedy Unfolded

Initial police investigations revealed that the group of five friends boarded the Vasco-Colem local train at around 9 am from Vasco da Gama and travelled towards Dudhsagar. After reaching the area, they trekked to a section of the river that flows from the famous waterfall and decided to spend time there before the new academic session began.

Witnesses told police that all five youths entered the river, but one of them stayed close to the edge while the other four ventured deeper into the water.

Soon after, they reportedly got caught in the strong currents.

People nearby immediately noticed the youngsters struggling and rushed to help. Local residents and bystanders launched rescue efforts and managed to pull all four out of the water. However, by the time they were brought to safety, they had already lost their lives.

Police Begin Investigation

Confirming the incident, police said emergency teams reached the spot after receiving information about the drowning.

"We rushed to the spot, and while onlookers were able to save one of the five boys, the other four were found dead after being retrieved from the river," a police official said.

Authorities have initiated inquest proceedings, and the bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. Officials are also gathering statements from the survivor and eyewitnesses to establish the exact sequence of events.

Monsoon Season Brings Added Danger

The tragedy comes at a time when the Goa government has repeatedly warned residents and tourists against entering rivers, waterfalls, and other water bodies during the monsoon season.

Heavy rains often increase the water level and create strong, unpredictable currents, making even familiar locations dangerous. Officials have advised visitors to avoid swimming or venturing into rivers near tourist spots during this period.

Although lifeguards are deployed at some designated locations, large stretches of rivers and streams, including areas around Dudhsagar, remain unguarded.

The Dudhsagar waterfall, located on the Goa-Karnataka border, is one of India's most visited natural attractions. Every year, thousands of tourists travel to the scenic destination, especially during and after the monsoon season when the waterfall is at its fullest.

However, authorities frequently caution visitors against entering the water because sudden changes in flow and hidden currents can prove deadly. Official tourism activities around the waterfall are also restricted during the peak monsoon months due to safety concerns.

A Community in Mourning

The deaths of the four students have sent shockwaves through the local community and their college. What was meant to be a joyful outing before the start of a new academic term ended in an unimaginable loss for several families.

As police continue their investigation, the incident has once again highlighted the importance of following safety advisories during the monsoon season and exercising extreme caution around rivers and waterfalls, where conditions can change within moments.

The state government and local authorities have reiterated their appeal to the public to avoid entering water bodies during heavy rains and to respect safety restrictions put in place to prevent such tragedies.