Navy Vessel Collides with A Ferry in Mumbai That Was Carrying Passengers from Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves
13 people lost their lives when a Navy vessel collided with a ferry carrying passengers near the Gateway of India. Some passengers complained that they had not been provided with life jackets.
A ferry boat in Mumbai carrying 110 passengers from Gateway of India to Elephanta caves capsized on Wednesday. It collided with an Indian Navy craft.
The Indian Navy vessel was conducting engine trials in the Mumbai harbour when the tragic accident occured. The Navy vessel lost control due to engine malfunction and collided with the ferry named Neelkamal.
“When we reached there, the situation was tragic and completely chaotic. People were screaming for help, and some were crying,” Arif Bamane, driver of a Mumbai Port Trust (MBPT) boat, told news agency PTI.
Boat operators were among the first to arrive to rescue the victims of the accident. They prioritised rescuing women and children first. A fishing trawler and a tourist boat had already arrived there.
We tried to save as many people as possible,” Bamane mentioned, adding that they rescued around 25 people. “This is the biggest rescue operation that I have seen so far,” he said.
A total of 115 survivors have been rescued. Two people, a man and a boy, are still missing. 13 people are confirmed dead which includes 10 civilians, 1 navy personnel and 2 contractual naval employees.
11 Navy boats, 3 Marine police boats, a Coast Guard boat and four helicopters were used in the rescue operations.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he is in constant touch with authorities regarding the situation. Rs. 5 lakh compensation will be given to the families of the deceased from the Chief Minister’s relief fund.
The Police and the Navy will investigate the tragic case.
