HOME MINISTER OF GOA NAIVE ON THE IDENTITIY OF 44 FOREIGNERS WHO DIED IN THE STATE

PANJIM: 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