Panaji: Goa government on Thursday said the
cause of death of as many as 44 foreigners in the last three
years in the state remains "unidentified".
Home Minister Ravi Naik today told the Assembly that
the reason of death of around 44 foreigners--out of 161
foreigners who died during the last three years--"could not be
identified yet as chemical analysis of their viscera was yet
to be received."
Goa does not have a chemical analysis laboratory of
its own and the viscera has to be sent to places like Central
Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Hyderabad, which takes
months together to submit the examination report.
42 foreigners died in the state in year 2008 followed
by 65 the next year and 54 in year 2010, Naik said.
Calangute, known for its beach, in North Goa tops the
list of "deadly" destinations with 45 deaths having taken
place there in the last three years followed by 32 at Anjuna.
South Goa`s prime beach Colva reported 18 deaths of
foreigners followed by 17 at Canacona and 19 in Pernem
respectively, the minister said.
Naik informed the Assembly that only one foreigner
died of drug overdose while three others were murdered since
the year 2008.
The death of British teenager Scarlet Eden Keeling
also figures in the list of deceased foreigners.
Scarlet`s mother Fiona Mackeown had run a campaign
demanding justice for her deceased daughter.
Goa Police had initially said Scarlet`s death was due
to drowning but later registered it as murder after conducting
the second autopsy.
PTI
