Mumbai, Dec 19– A tragic collision between an Indian naval vessel and a passenger ferry left 13 people dead and several others injured near the coast of Mumbai on Wednesday. The accident occurred when a navy craft, experiencing engine malfunction during trials in Mumbai Harbour, lost control and hit the privately owned ferry Neelkamal. The ferry was carrying over 100 passengers en route to the Elephanta Caves, a popular UNESCO heritage site.
The mishap caused the ferry to capsize, prompting rescue operations. The Indian Navy confirmed that 99 passengers have been rescued, while efforts continue to locate others.
Passengers on board described the horrifying moments after the collision. “The speedboat crashed into our boat, water began flooding in, and it overturned. The driver immediately asked us to wear lifejackets,” one survivor told our reporter. The survivor swam for 15 minutes before being rescued by another boat.
Local TV footage showed a naval speedboat colliding with the passenger ferry, leading to the capsize.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, calling the incident “saddening” and announced financial aid. Families of the deceased will receive ₹2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, while the injured will be given ₹50,000.
The ferry, Neelkamal, was on its regular route to Elephanta Caves, a renowned tourist attraction located about an hour from Mumbai’s Gateway of India. The caves, dating back to the 5th-6th centuries A.D., attract a steady stream of visitors year-round.
Authorities, including the Navy and local agencies, are investigating the cause of the naval vessel’s engine failure and the circumstances leading to the crash. Questions about safety protocols for passenger ferries in busy waters like Mumbai Harbour are also being raised.
This incident highlights the need for stringent safety measures in the waters near Mumbai, where both naval operations and commercial ferry services operate in close proximity.
