13 Dead, 99 Rescued After Indian Navy Craft Collides with Passenger Ferry off Mumbai Coast.
Mumbai:
13 people, including a Navy personnel and two workers from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), lost their lives and 99 others were rescued after a tragic collision between an Indian Navy craft and a passenger ferry off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at around 4 pm when a Navy craft, undergoing engine trials, lost control and crashed into the passenger ferry Neel Kamal near Karanja, Mumbai. The ferry was carrying passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a popular tourist destination.
Following the crash, the Navy, along with the Coast Guard and Marine Police, launched extensive search and rescue operations. Four naval helicopters, 11 naval crafts, one Coast Guard boat, and three Marine Police boats were mobilized to aid in the rescue. As of the latest reports, 99 survivors have been safely rescued and transferred to nearby jetties and hospitals.
The deceased included seven men, four women, and two children, as confirmed by the Mumbai police. Among the victims were three personnel from the Navy. Two seriously injured Navy personnel are currently receiving medical treatment at a naval hospital.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the victims from the CM’s Relief Fund.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his condolences, emphasizing that rescue efforts are still underway to locate any missing persons.
The Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against the driver of the Navy speedboat and others responsible for the accident. The charges include causing death by negligence, endangering personal safety, and reckless navigation of the vessel.
This incident follows another tragic accident involving the Navy last month, when a submarine, INS Karanj, collided with a fishing vessel off the Goa coast, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.
