A ferry boat with 110 passengers from Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves capsized and collided with an Indian Navy craft off Elephanta Islands on Wednesday afternoon, leaving 13 people dead. 101 passengers have been rescued so far. The video of the accident is going viral on social media.
The incident occurred after an Indian Navy craft lost control while undertaking engine trials in Mumbai Harbour due to engine malfunction. As a result, the boat collided with a passenger ferry, named Neelkamal, which subsequently capsized.
The visuals that captured the moment just moments before the accident took place show the Navy craft riding in the water with 6-7 passengers. However, the high-speed boat took a U-turn and came closer to the ferry hitting it hard.
13 fatalities have been reported so far. While survivors have been rescued from the incident site and were shifted to a nearby hospital.
The Navy and Coast Guard have launched a massive rescue operation, with 11 Navy boats three boats of Marine Police, and a boat of Coast Guard being deployed in the area, a defence official said.
Four helicopters are also involved in the search and rescue operation, the official added.
Responding to the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the administration is in constant touch with the authorities and all necessary machinery for the rescue operation is being deployed.
“We have received reports of an accident involving the boat Neelkamal, which was heading towards Elephanta. Boats from the Navy, Coast Guard, Port and Police teams have been immediately dispatched for assistance. We are in constant touch with the district and police administration and fortunately, most of the citizens have been rescued," Fadnavis said, adding, “Orders have been given to the district administration to deploy all the necessary machinery for the rescue operation."
Chief Minister Fadnavis further informed that the whole incident will be investigated by the police and the Navy. He also announced that the kin of the people who have died will be given Rs 5 lakh aid from the CM Relief Fund.
