13 dead after naval vessel hits passenger boat off Mumbai's Gateway of India

In a gruesome maritime disaster, at least 13 persons drowned, including three Indian Navy sailors plus another 99 were rescued from the Arabian Sea when a naval speedboat on engine-trials lost control and abruptly rammed into a chockful passenger ferry, near the Raigad Coast, off Gateway of India, in Mumbai on Wednesday evening, officials said.

The passenger boat, reported to be a private catamaran named 'Neelkamal,' was ferrying around 110 tourists plus five crew members to the world-famous UNESCO Heritage Elephanta Islands, and the disaster occurred around 5.15pm., said the BMC Disaster Control.

Official sources said that an Indian Navy's rigid inflatable boat undergoing engine trials crashed into the 'Neelkamal' at high speed, overturning it and throwing most of the tourists into the Arabian Sea near Uran, Karanja on the Raigad coast, around 10 km from Gateway of India.

"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 which subsequently capsized," the Navy said in a statement on X.

Local TV channels showed a boat carrying at least five people hitting the passenger vehicle, causing the accident.

The sources said that the ferry, 'Neelkamal,' may have broken down with the sudden hit, overturned and started sinking with the passengers thrown into the sea.

Videos of the tragedy, clicked by aghast passengers from other ferries in the vicinity showed gruesome shots of people screaming for help, flailing their arms and legs to remain afloat or attempting to hold their near and dear ones from sinking in chilly sea waters.

On receiving the SOS from multiple sources on the disaster, a massive rescue operation was launched by the Indian Navy's four helicopters and 15 other vessels including the Marine Police, Indian Coast Guard, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, along with local fishers and other ferry boats to save the victims.

By 9:00pm, the authorities confirmed 13 deaths comprising three Indian Navy sailors and 10 civilians, several 'critical' in different hospitals, and over 100 other tourists whose condition is reported to be 'stable' in various hospitals, while search continues for another five still suspected 'missing' as darkness fell.

It was not immediately clear whether the ill-fated 'Neelkamal' was carrying passengers as per the stipulated norms for load and other safety measures.

Rajendra Padte, the boat owner, said that the ‘Neelkamal’ had departed on its regular voyage to Elephanta Islands around 3.15 p.m. and barely a couple of hours later the tragedy was reported.

A passenger is brought to shore after he was rescued from a boat that capsized off the coast of Mumbai. Reuters

"All passengers were wearing life jackets which are now compulsory. More than 14 other boats are engaged in the rescue operations,” Padte told media persons. However, several of the people struggling in the cold seawater could be seen wearing life jackets, as it turned dark and rescue operations could be hampered. While one tourist has been officially reported dead, there are unofficial reports of two more fatalities amid apprehensions that the toll may increase, officials indicated.

Taking a serious note of the collision between the Navy boat and the tourist boat heading towards Elephanta islands from Gateway of India on Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the state Assembly in Nagpur that the government will provide all assistance to those who drowned and died in the mishap.

The issue was raised by Shiv Sena legislator Aaditya Thackrey and BJP MLA Mahesh Baldi in the state assembly drawing the chief minister’s attention.

"We have received reports of an accident involving the boat Nilkamal, which was heading towards Elephanta islands. 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. However, rescue operations are still underway. Orders have been given to the district administration to deploy all the necessary machinery for the rescue operation,” said Fadnavis.

He added that the government is ascertaining how many passengers have drowned due to the accident. He told the House that he had also watched the video of the mishap.

Fadnavis also said that it is being ascertained how many passengers drowned and after that, the government will provide assistance to them.

Agencies