- विज्ञापन -
Mumbai: Search operations resumed on Thursday morning for two missing tourists after a tragic collision between an Indian Navy speedboat and a passenger ferry off the Gateway of India in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday evening, which claimed the lives of 13 people, including four naval personnel.
In one of Mumbai’s deadliest maritime disasters, the ferry, ‘Neelkamal,’ was carrying 13 tourists who lost their lives, while 105 others were rescued. The ferry was en route from Gateway of India to Elephanta Isles, a popular UNESCO World Heritage site, when the Navy speedboat struck it.
Authorities have deployed vessels from the Indian Navy, Marine Police, and other agencies to search for the two individuals thrown into the sea following the collision, which occurred about 5 kilometers from the Gateway of India near Butcher Island’s oil terminal.
The Indian Navy confirmed that the accident was caused by a malfunction in one of its speedboats, which was undergoing engine trials. The pilot lost control, leading to a high-speed collision with the tourist boat. Disturbing videos of the incident surfaced later that evening.
The ‘Neelkamal’ ferry, a private catamaran, was carrying over 100 tourists and five crew members when it was struck. The crash occurred around 4 P.M., overturning the ferry and throwing passengers into the water near Karanja on the Raigad coast, about 10 kilometers from the Gateway of India.
Rajendra Padte, the ferry’s owner, stated that the ‘Neelkamal’ had departed for Elephanta Islands at 3:15 P.M., just minutes before the accident occurred, but insisted that it wasn’t the fault of the crew.
Jayant P. Patil, General Secretary of the Peasants & Workers Party of India, criticized the authorities for the tragedy as the ‘Neelkamal’ sank shortly after the collision.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and various opposition leaders expressed their condolences. The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased, while the Chief Minister declared a compensation of Rs 5 lakh per deceased and financial aid for the injured.
As of now, hospitals have admitted a total of 57 individuals, with some receiving care at the Naval Dockyard medical facility, JNPA Hospital, INHS Ashvini, and several others. Around eight people have been discharged after treatment.
