Locals Rescue Tourist Car Trapped in Rising Tide at Kalamb Beach in Virar West

A car carrying tourists got stuck in soft, marshy sand at Kalamb Beach in Virar West on Thursday morning around 9 am, triggering a rescue effort by local residents before rising high tide waters could submerge the vehicle.

The incident took place in the 'Mini Goa' area located between Kalamb and Bhuigaon beaches in the Vasai region. With water levels low in the local creek section, overenthusiastic tourists attempted to navigate their vehicle directly across the creek route from Bhuigaon Beach towards Kalamb Beach.

However, the car became bogged down in the soft, marshy sand near the water. The driver and his friends initially tried to extricate the vehicle on their own, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, as the tide began to turn, seawater started moving rapidly toward the trapped vehicle, raising immediate fears that it would be completely submerged.

Recognizing the impending danger, the tourists approached local residents for help. Nearby villagers immediately mobilized to assist, launching a joint rescue effort. Working continuously for nearly half an hour, the locals successfully pulled the vehicle out to safe ground just as the seawater approached.

According to residents, this was not the first time such an incident has occurred at the location. There have been several past instances where vehicles belonging to tourists became stuck and were eventually submerged by seawater along the same stretch of coast.

Local residents have once again urged visitors to follow local warnings and refrain from driving directly onto the shore or attempting to cross areas vulnerable to flooding during high tide.

"Overenthusiastic tourists often bring their vehicles directly onto the beach. Despite repeated warnings from locals, they ignore the advice, which leads to such incidents. Tourists need to exercise caution and take proper safety measures," said Adv. Anand Gharat, a local resident.