A passenger ferry, Neelkamal, capsized near Uran and Karanja while traveling from Mumbai’s Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, carrying around 80 passengers. Rescue efforts are currently in progress, involving the Mumbai Police, Indian Navy, Coast Guard, JNPT, and local fishing vessels. The cause of the incident is still under investigation.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, there were 85 people on board, including crew members. Of this total, 80 passengers have been rescued, while five are still unaccounted for. Five individuals have been hospitalized in critical condition, while the remaining are in stable health.
The Neelkamal ferry was en route to Elephanta Island, a popular tourist spot, when a speedboat was reported to have circled it before colliding with the ferry, as shown in a viral video.
The search and rescue operations are being organized by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police, with 11 Navy boats, three Marine Police boats, and one Coast Guard vessel actively engaged. Furthermore, four helicopters have been sent for Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts to find the missing passengers.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis gave an update in the state assembly in Nagpur, stating that the search is still ongoing for seven to eight missing passengers. He explained that the ferry capsized after a speedboat, allegedly from either the Navy or the Coast Guard, veered out of control and struck the ferry.
