Yahoo News British tourist, 48, ‘raped in Goa’ in same town where Irish backpacker was killed last year
A British woman is recovering from her ordeal after she was raped near a popular tourist site in Goa while making her way back to her guesthouse.
The 48-year-old victim was walking towards Palolem beach in the town of Canacona, southwestern India, at around 3am when the attack occurred.
The rape took place in the same town where 28-year-old Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin was raped and murdered in March 2017.
According to police, the victim had left her guesthouse to catch a train but began the one-mile walk back when it got delayed.
The woman, who has been visiting Goa regularly for the last 10 years, was forced to a nearby paddy field by her attacker, who hit her in the eye before raping her and robbing her of three bags.
The victim managed to find shelter with a friend nearby before reporting the incident to police.
Police inspector Prashal Desai said: ‘She had gone to catch a train from Canacona to Thivim station located in North Goa district.
‘But, as the train got delayed, she decided to return to the place where she was staying near the Palolem beach.
‘She decided to walk back to the guest house which is one mile away from the station.
‘One the way, she was pushed by an unknown person into the bushes and was raped.
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‘He first hit her in the eyes, due to which her vision blurred for a few minutes, and then raped her.
‘A search was launched to arrest the culprit and some suspects from the area have been rounded up.
‘We are waiting for the medical report.’
Vikat Bhagat allegedly confessed to the rape and murder of 28-year-old Ms McLaughlin following the discovery of her body last year.
