A speedboat collided with a passenger ferry off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of 13 people, including three Navy personnel. The Indian Navy later confirmed that the speedboat involved in the accident was a naval craft that lost control due to an engine malfunction.
The Navy explained that the incident occurred during engine trials in Mumbai Harbour. “An Indian Navy craft lost control while undergoing engine trials due to a malfunction, causing the boat to crash into a passenger ferry, which subsequently capsized,” the Navy stated on social media.
The ongoing rescue operation involved multiple assets, including four naval helicopters, 11 naval crafts, one Coast Guard boat, and three marine police crafts. The Navy also confirmed that 13 fatalities were reported, with survivors being transferred to nearby hospitals.
Maharashtra CM’s Statement on the Incident
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that 101 people had been rescued. The victims included 10 civilians and three Navy personnel. The Neelkamal ferry, en route to Elephanta Island, was struck by the speedboat around 4 p.m. However, Fadnavis did not provide the exact number of passengers aboard the ferry or the speedboat at the time of the collision.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s Condolences
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his grief over the tragedy, offering condolences to the families of the deceased. “I am deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the collision between the passenger ferry and the Indian Navy craft in Mumbai Harbour. Injured personnel, including naval personnel and civilians, are receiving urgent medical care. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Extensive search and rescue efforts are ongoing,” he wrote on social media.
