The Neelkamal ferry was going to Elephanta Island, a popular tourist destination near Mumbai.
A Navy ship collided with a ferry off the coast of Mumbai on Wednesday. 13 people died in the incident and 101 people were rescued after the incident. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters that 10 civilians and three navy personnel were among the dead. The incident took place around 4 pm. According to the Navy, four naval helicopters, 11 naval ships, one coast guard boat and three marine police boats were involved in the rescue operation.
5 points about the event
1. The accident occurred when the navy vessel lost control during an engine test and collided with passenger ferry Neel Kamal at Karanja near Mumbai, the navy said in a statement.
2. The boat was ferrying passengers from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a popular tourist destination. There were about 110 passengers on the boat, including 20 children.
3. Survivors picked up by naval and civil craft in the area have been transferred to nearby jetties and hospitals. 8 ships of the Indian Navy have been deployed in the area where the boat accident occurred.
4. Of the six people on board the naval boat, four were killed and one was seriously injured. All personnel are being accounted for along with SAR efforts in the region, he said.
5. The Chief Minister has announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of those who lost their lives.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh posted on X, “Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the collision between a passenger boat and an Indian Navy ship in Mumbai Harbour. The injured personnel including sailors and civilians of both ships are receiving urgent medical care.”
“My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Extensive search and rescue efforts are underway by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, deploying multiple assets, to locate the missing persons,” Singh added.