At least 13 people lost their lives, and two others sustained critical injuries after a ferry capsized off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday evening. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the tragic incident, which occurred around 3:55 pm when the passenger vessel Neelkamal collided with a Navy boat.
“The rescue operation is still ongoing, and a final statement will be issued tomorrow,” CM Fadnavis stated. He also announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of the deceased.
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said, “Near Mumbai, on Buchar Island, a passenger vessel named Neelkamal capsized around 3:55 pm after colliding with a Navy boat. So far, 101 people have been rescued, but 13 lives have been lost as of 7:30 pm. Among the deceased, 10 were civilians, and three were Navy personnel. Two critically injured individuals are being treated at Navy Dockyard Hospital. The Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and police deployed 11 crafts and four helicopters for the rescue operation. However, the operation is still ongoing, and further information will be available by tomorrow morning regarding any missing persons. Families of those who lost their lives will receive an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh from the CM Relief Fund. The incident will be jointly investigated by the police and the Indian Navy.”
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A Navy spokesperson elaborated that the collision occurred due to an engine malfunction during the trials of an Indian Navy craft in Mumbai Harbour, which caused it to lose control. This collision led to the capsizing of the ferry and the death of 13 individuals. “Search and rescue efforts were immediately launched, involving four naval helicopters, 11 naval crafts, one Coast Guard boat, and three marine police crafts to recover survivors,” the spokesperson stated.
Officials revealed that the ferry was carrying 85 passengers, including five crew members, and was headed to Elephanta Island. The incident occurred near Uran, Karanja, around 6:30 pm. So far, 99 survivors have been rescued and are being shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
