13 Dead, 120 Rescued in Mumbai Neelkamal Boat Accident Near Gateway of India

Mumbai Neelkamal Boat Accident: At least 13 people died while 120 others were rescued when a Navy speedboat rammed into the ferry Neelkamal off the coast of Mumbai near the Gateway of India on Wednesday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that the death toll includes ten civilians and three Navy personnel.

Mumbai Neelkamal Boat Accident Near Gateway of India

It was about 4 PM at the place of Kunja, Uran. The Neelkamal ferry was headed for Elephanta Island. This island is one of the favorite tourist spots of India. A viral video captures the moments before the collision when the speedboat circled the ferry and then crashed into it.

Rescue operations were initiated, involving 11 Navy vessels, three Marine Police boats, a Coast Guard boat, and four helicopters. Local fishermen joined the rescue efforts along with personnel from the police and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority. According to officials, seven to eight passengers are missing, and the search continues.

Chief Minister Fadnavis, speaking from Nagpur said that authorities are in constant touch with district and police administrations to ensure the deployment of all necessary resources for rescue operations. Most passengers have been rescued, but efforts are still underway to find the missing.

Preliminary reports indicate that the speedboat, reportedly belonging to the Navy, lost control and crashed into the ferry. A local official claimed that the boat was owned by the Navy; however, the Navy did not confirm this. The investigation is still ongoing in order to determine the cause of the accident, including operational lapses or technical faults.

This has triggered an outburst of sorrow and concern as people sympathize with the victims and express gratitude to the rescue forces for their prompt response. The authorities are committed to unearthing facts of this tragedy and working out measures to prevent such disasters in the future.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the boat mishap off Mumbai Harbour. “Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the collision between passenger ferry and Indian Navy craft in Mumbai Harbour. Injured personnel, including naval personnel and civilians from both vessels, are receiving urgent medical care.”.

Heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Search and rescue operations are currently on in full swing by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard using multiple assets to find those missing.

He further stressed the need for a thorough investigation to determine the reasons for the accident and avoid such mishaps in the future. Singh praised the prompt response by the rescue teams and assured that all resources would be available to help the injured and locate those still missing. “This is a moment of grief for all of us, and we stand united in support of the affected families and personnel involved in this tragedy,” he added.

Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the collision between passenger ferry and Indian Navy craft in Mumbai Harbour. Injured personnel, including naval personnel & civilians from both vessels, are receiving urgent medical care.

My heartfelt condolences to the…

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 18, 2024