A British tourist was allegedly raped near Goa's Palolem beach, frequented by tourists (Representational)
A 48-year-old British woman was allegedly raped while she was walking towards a beach in Goa early this morning, a police officer said. She was also robbed of her belongings by the man, who ran away.
The incident took place around 4 am in Goa's Canacona town around 100 km from Panaji, when the woman was heading towards the Palolem beach in South Goa district, police inspector Rajendra Prabhudesai told news agency Press Trust of India.
"The woman complained to the police that while she was walking from the Canacona railway station towards the beach, an unidentified person forcibly took her to a roadside where he raped her," he said.
The woman had gone to catch a train from Canacona to Thivim station in North Goa district. But when she found out that the train was delayed, she decided to return to the place where she was staying near the Palolem beach, he said.
"The accused, who saw the woman walking alone, pushed her to a paddy field on the side of the road near a telecom company office. He first hit her in the eyes, due to which her vision was blurred for a few minutes, and then raped her," the police official said quoting the woman's complaint.
The attacker escaped with three bags that belonged to the woman, he said.
The police have launched a search and are questioning suspects.
Mr Prabhudesai said the woman has been a regular visitor to Goa for the last 10 years.
Canacona in South Goa is a tourism hub with popular beaches like Agonda and Palolem.