Romancing couple saved from high tide

Mumbai: Sharing a few tender moments with each other almost turned fatal for a couple from Sakinaka who chose Aksa beach for their little romantic rendezvous. Jainuddin Ansari, 26, and Jainab Ansari, 20, were rescued by BMC-appointed lifeguards on Saturday from Aksa beach.

The duo was busy romancing on some rocks at the beach and they failed to see the rising water levels. Realising they were in a sea of trouble, the duo started calling out for help. Hearing their pleas, Sohail Babu and Amit Koli, the lifeguards appointed by the fire brigade, rescued them.

Confirming the rescue, a lifeguard said, "They were 200 feet away from the shoreline sitting on the rocks when they were rescued. After being rescued, they were handed over to the police," informed a lifeguard. He further added that in the coming days they would keep a watch on everyone entering the waters. "People tend to go deep into the sea and we don't have high-tech equipment to save them. But we try our best."

The rescue of the couple, the first for this summer, has also rung warning bells for others who choose to set out to Aksa for some fun time. Commenting on the hazards of Aksa beach, a senior fireman from the fire brigade said, "People venture out in the sea in the summer to beat the heat and tend to be careless. However, Aksa beach is already a dangerous place and couples who come here should be cautious."

51
The number of people who lost their lives by drowning in the sea between December 2007 and November 2011

30
The number of people injured at sea between December 2007 and November 2011

Unsafe waters
In an affidavit filed by former Chief Fire Officer Uday Tatkare (now deceased), he had classified 12 city beaches, including Juhu beach and Girgaum Chowpatty, as safe. The others like Walkeshwar, Worli, Dadar Chowpatty, Mahim, Bandra to Khar, Aksa, Manori, Gorai and Marve were termed unsafe. Two beaches at Tata Garden and Raj Bhavan are not open to tourists.