TRAGEDY STRIKES PARAGLIDING: 27-Year-Old Tourist and Instructor Killed in Goa Accident

Two lives were lost in a horrific paragliding accident in North Goa on Saturday, leaving the state and nation reeling in shock. Shivani Dabale, a 27-year-old tourist from Pune, and Suman Nepali, a 26-year-old instructor of Nepalese origin, met their demise when the paraglider they were riding crashed into a ravine soon after takeoff.

According to police, the incident occurred between 4:30 pm and 5:00 pm at Keri village, an area known for its rugged terrain. The victims had taken a paragliding service from Hike ‘n’ Fly Company, which operates without proper authorisation. Sources revealed that the rope on the paraglider snapped, causing the duo to hit multiple rocks.

Both Dabale and Nepali sustained severe fractures, leading to their immediate deaths at Goa Medical College (GMC). Their bodies have since been sent for postmortem examination, and an investigation into the incident is currently underway.

The police have registered a case against Hike ‘n’ Fly Company owner Shekhar Raizada, who is accused of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Superintendent of Police Tikam Singh Verma stated that Raizada knowingly allowed paragliding without proper permissions, putting lives at risk for financial gain.

Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar has flagged Keri plateau as a hazardous area for paragliding and urged the tourism department to impose an immediate ban on such activities. This incident comes as a wake-up call for adventure sports enthusiasts, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations.

The recent accidents in Goa and Himachal Pradesh are not isolated incidents; two fatalities were reported in Kangra and Kullu districts just a day earlier. These incidents underscore the critical importance of stringent safety measures to prevent such tragedies.