Margao: A 45-year-old man died in a case of drowning at Dhandolem Colomba in Rivona, Sanguem, on Tuesday.
The victim was identified as Joaquim Seby Barretto, a resident of Ganpati Wada, Colomba.
The incident came to light when deputy sarpanch Surya Naik of Rivona panchayat alerted local authorities after Barretto’s body was spotted floating in the river. Local residents assisted in recovering the body from the water.
According to witnesses, Barretto went to the river for a day out with friends when the incident occurred. Family members revealed that he previously suffered a stroke and underwent treatment for his medical condition.
The body was shifted to the South Goa District Hospital, Margao, for a postmortem examination.
While the final cause of death is pending chemical analysis and diatom study, preliminary findings by the police surgeon indicated signs of asphyxia consistent with drowning.
Local police conducted scene and inquest panchanamas as part of their investigation. Police are also probing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
