At least 13 individuals have lost their lives, and two others are in critical condition following a devastating collision between a passenger ferry and a navy speedboat near a popular tourist spot in Mumbai, India. The incident occurred as the passenger ferry Neelkamal was en route to the Elephanta Caves, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site located on an island in the Sea of Oman, just a short ferry ride away from Mumbai.
Video footage captured by the Indian Coast Guard post-incident depicted a large-scale rescue operation in progress, with numerous individuals, some equipped with life jackets, being safely evacuated onto other vessels by emergency responders. By Wednesday evening, a total of 101 people had been rescued by the combined efforts of the navy, coast guard, and police, utilizing 11 navy crafts and four helicopters.
Of the 13 casualties, 10 were civilians, while the remaining three were navy personnel. Two individuals are currently in critical condition and are receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra state assured that an investigation into the incident will be conducted jointly by the police and navy, with the families of the deceased set to receive 500,000 rupees each as compensation.
Fadnavis expressed his condolences, stating, 'My tributes to the deceased. We stand in full solidarity with the grieving families during this difficult time.' Preliminary reports suggest that the naval speedboat experienced an engine failure, leading to the tragic collision. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with Fadnavis promising to provide further updates to the public on Thursday.
