Tragic Maritime Incident in Mumbai Claims 13 Lives, Including 6 Women and 2 Children
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Mumbai, Dec 19 (NationPress) In a devastating maritime incident, six female tourists and two minors from different regions of India were among the 13 victims who tragically lost their lives during a maritime accident on Wednesday. An Indian Navy speedboat collided at high speed with a passenger ferry off the Gateway of India, as reported by officials on Thursday.
The deceased minors include Nidhish Rakesh Ahire, an 8-year-old boy from Nashik, and Mahi Sairam Pavra, a 3-year-old girl from Dhule. Additionally, five women were identified: Harshada Rakesh Ahire, 31 (Nashik), Shafina Ashraf Pathan, 34 (Goa), Rama Ratidevi Gupta, 50 (Palghar), and Pragnya Vinod Kamble, 39 (Navi Mumbai).
Among the male victims were T. Deepak, approximately 40, and Mahendrasingh Vijaysingh Shekhawat, 31, both affiliated with the Indian Navy (Mumbai and Raigad), along with Rakesh Nanaji Ahire, 34 (Nashik), Pravin Ramnath Sharma, 34 (Andhra Pradesh), Mangesh Mahadev Kelkar, 33 (Thane), Mohammed Rehman Qureshi, 35 (Bihar), and Deepika Neelkanth Wakchaure, 50 (Mumbai).
A comprehensive search operation has resumed as of this morning to locate at least two individuals who remain missing, according to the BMC Disaster Control on Thursday.
This incident marks one of the most severe maritime disasters in the Mumbai area, with 13 fatalities reported, while another 113 individuals were rescued from the overcrowded ferry 'Neelkamal', which was en route from Gateway of India to Elephanta Isles, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site.
As per an official statement, the Indian Navy, Marine Police, and various other agencies have deployed their vessels to search for the two persons who were thrown into the waters following the catastrophic collision, which occurred approximately 5 km from the Gateway of India, in the water channel near the small Butcher Island oil terminal.
Of the 113 rescued individuals currently in various hospitals in Mumbai and Raigad, the conditions of 100 are reported as stable, while 2 others remain unaccounted for in the Arabian Sea.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with several opposition leaders from various parties, expressed their condolences over the tragic event and the loss of innocent lives.
The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh, while the Chief Minister declared a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of each victim, in addition to financial and medical assistance for all injured survivors.
