Mumbai: A devastating maritime accident occurred off the Mumbai coast, resulting in the drowning of at least 13 people, including three Indian Navy sailors. Around 99 others were rescued after a naval speedboat, undergoing engine trials, lost control and collided with a crowded passenger ferry in the Arabian Sea near the Raigad Coast on Wednesday evening.
The ferry, a private catamaran named ‘Neelkamal’, was carrying approximately 110 tourists and five crew members to the UNESCO Heritage site of Elephanta Islands when the incident took place around 5:15 p.m., as reported by the BMC Disaster Control.
According to official sources, the Indian Navy’s rigid inflatable boat crashed into the ‘Neelkamal’ at high speed, causing it to overturn and throw most passengers into the sea near Uran, Karanja, about 10 km from Gateway of India. It is believed that the ferry may have suffered a breakdown due to the impact.
Distressing videos taken by other ferry passengers captured the chaos, showing people screaming for help and struggling to stay afloat in the cold waters.
In response to multiple distress calls, a large-scale rescue operation was initiated, involving four Indian Navy helicopters and 15 vessels from the Marine Police, Indian Coast Guard, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, and local fishermen. By 9 p.m., authorities confirmed 13 fatalities, including three Navy personnel and 10 civilians, with several others in critical condition in various hospitals. Over 100 tourists were reported stable, while searches continued for five individuals still unaccounted for as night fell.
It remains unclear whether the ‘Neelkamal’ complied with safety regulations regarding passenger capacity. The vessel’s owner, Rajendra Padte, stated that the ferry had set off on its regular route at 3:15 p.m. and insisted that his crew was not at fault, claiming the Navy boat had circled them before ramming into the ferry. He noted that all tourists were wearing life jackets, which are now mandatory.
Jayant P. Patil, General Secretary of the Peasants & Workers Party of India, criticized the authorities for their role in the tragedy as the ‘Neelkamal’ sank shortly after the collision.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the incident and announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a brief statement in the Legislative Assembly regarding the incident, while Deputy CM Eknath Shinde coordinated with local officials to expedite rescue efforts.
A civic official reported that 56 victims were admitted to JNPA Hospital, 32 to the Naval Dockyard medical facility, one to INHS Ashvini Hospital, nine to St. George Hospital, and 12 to a hospital in Karanja.
Relatives of the victims rushed to various hospitals seeking information about their loved ones, causing significant distress and chaos at the facilities. The Indian Navy is expected to launch an investigation into the collision, which has raised concerns about potential further casualties.
The Elephanta Islands, known for their ancient rock-cut temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and other deities, are a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra, drawing visitors from around the world.