Mumbai Maritime Tragedy: Body of 6-Year-Old Boy Recovered; Total Casualties Rise to 15
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Mumbai, Dec 21 (NationPress) The remains of a six-year-old boy, who had been unaccounted for since the December 18 collision between an Indian Navy speedboat and a crowded passenger ferry near the Gateway of India, were recovered after nearly 72 hours, according to an official announcement made on Saturday.
Rescue operations had previously located the body of another victim from the Arabian Sea on Friday, bringing the total death toll in this coastal city’s most devastating maritime incident to 15.
The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Disaster Control along with the Indian Navy confirmed the recovery on Saturday.
However, the Indian Navy indicated that search efforts continue in the area surrounding the collision—approximately 5 km away—to find the wreckage of the ferry and ensure no additional victims are trapped within.
It is important to note that on Wednesday at around 4 p.m., an Indian Navy speedboat conducting engine trials encountered a malfunction, lost control, and collided at full speed with the private ferry named 'Neelkamal', which was carrying about 110 tourists to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Elephanta Islands.
This tragic accident resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals, with two more initially unaccounted for—now confirmed deceased—including one Indian Navy personnel and three representatives from OEM.
The Mumbai Police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the incident, while the Indian Navy has initiated a Board of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the mishap.
The majority of the tourists were from outside Maharashtra, including some foreign visitors, who were thrown into the sea due to the force of the collision, which occurred in one of the key shipping channels of the bustling Mumbai Harbour, close to the small Butcher Island oil terminal, while en route to the Elephanta Isles.
Among the deceased were 3 minors (including a girl), 5 females, and 7 males, as stated by officials, and numerous injured individuals are still receiving medical care.
Leaders including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and various political figures have expressed their condolences over this tragedy and the loss of life.
