Panaji, Sep 19 (IANS): Twenty tourists, including three medical students from Maharashtra's Ahmednagar town and a family from Delhi, were saved by lifeguards from drowning off the popular Baga beach along the north Goa coast Saturday.

The tourists, three of whom were allegedly drunk, were caught in the dangerous riptide which swept them off their feet and dragged them farther into the sea.

Seven lifeguards, on board jet skis and rescue tubes, saved the tourists who also included visitors from West Bengal.

"The sea was remarkably choppy today. The tourists ignored the 'no swimming' signs we had put up at regular intervals along the coast," a lifeguard said.

"The incident occurred around 2 p.m. The beach (Baga) was already crowded as this is a weekend. At least 20 tourists were drowning and saved. However, three slipped away for fear of identification as they were drunk," said an official of Drishti group, which is in charge of lifeguards along Goa's coast.

A total of 228 people have drowned off Goa's shores over the last three years.