- विज्ञापन -
Mumbai: At least two tourist has been drowned to death while another 66 rescued among 80 tourists aboard a private ferry boat in a suspected collision with another vessel near the Gateway of India.
Officials sources confirmed this incident and said that the maritime disaster happened around 5.15 p.m. when the launch with around 56 tourist passengers was sailing from the iconic Gateway of India to the UNESCO Heritage Elephanta Islands.
Soon after the incident the Indian Navy’s four helicopters, Marine police and Indian coast guard along with the local fisherman community launched a massive rescue operation to save the tourists.
However, in the incident two tourist have been reportedly drowned to death while as 108 tourists have been rescued.
Rajendra Padte, the boat owner, said that the ‘Neelkamal’ had departed on its regular voyage to Elephanta Islands around 3.15 p.m. and barely a couple of hours later the tragedy was reported.
“All passengers were wearing life jackets which are now compulsory. More than 14 other boats are engaged in the rescue operations,” Padte said.
However, several of the people struggling in the cold seawater could be seen wearing life jackets, as it turned dark and rescue operations could be hampered. While one tourist has been officially reported dead, there are unofficial reports of two more fatalities amid apprehensions that the toll may increase, officials indicated.
