Ferry with 38 aboard breaks down near Gateway of India, Mumbai
Synopsis
A ferry carrying 38 people stalled in the Arabian Sea less than two nautical miles from Mumbai's Gateway of India on Thursday evening. Mumbai Police coordinated a rapid tow-rescue, bringing all passengers and crew ashore safely — but the incident raises fresh questions about ferry maintenance standards at one of the city's busiest tourist water routes.
Key Takeaways
The Anwari ferry broke down at approximately 8.30 pm on 4 September , about 1.5 nautical miles from Mumbai's Gateway of India .
The vessel had 34 passengers and 4 crew members on board — 38 people in total.
Mumbai Police coordinated with a nearby ferry operator to dispatch a rescue vessel that towed the Anwari back to the jetty.
All 38 people were brought ashore safely; no injuries or untoward incidents were reported.
Authorities are expected to investigate the technical cause of the breakdown.
A ferry carrying 34 passengers and four crew members broke down in the Arabian Sea approximately 1.5 nautical miles from Mumbai's Gateway of India on Thursday evening, 4 September, triggering a swift rescue operation by Mumbai Police and a nearby ferry operator. All 38 people on board were brought back safely to the jetty, with no injuries reported.
What Happened
The vessel involved was the Anwari ferry, which operates short sea rides from the Gateway of India jetty. The ferry reportedly developed a technical failure at around 8.30 pm while returning toward the shore. The breakdown left all passengers and crew stranded at sea following the sudden loss of propulsion.
Rescue Operation
Mumbai Police received information about the breakdown through their control room and immediately coordinated with nearby ferry operators. A second ferry was dispatched to the location and reached the stranded Anwari vessel. The rescue boat then towed the disabled ferry back to the Gateway of India jetty. The entire operation concluded without any casualties or additional incidents.
All 38 Brought to Shore Safely
All 34 passengers and four crew members were safely disembarked at the jetty. Authorities confirmed that no injuries or untoward incidents occurred in connection with the breakdown. The prompt coordination between police, the ferry operator, and the crew was credited for the smooth resolution.
Background and What Comes Next
The incident comes amid regular ferry and tourist boat operations in the waters off Mumbai, particularly around the Gateway of India, which draws a large volume of visitors for short sea excursions. Authorities are expected to investigate the exact nature of the technical fault that caused the Anwari to stop functioning. This breakdown underscores ongoing questions about the maintenance and safety inspection protocols governing commercial ferry operations in the area.
Point of View
But that outcome owed more to proximity to shore and quick police coordination than to any systemic safety net. With thousands of visitors taking sea rides around the Gateway of India each week, a breakdown further out — or in rougher seas — could have a very different ending. Regulators should treat this as a prompt to audit vessel certification and emergency response protocols, not merely log it as a non-event because everyone came home safe.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ferry broke down near the Gateway of India?
The Anwari ferry, which operates short sea rides from the Gateway of India jetty in Mumbai, broke down on the evening of 4 September. It stalled approximately 1.5 nautical miles from shore due to a technical failure.
How many people were on board the Anwari ferry?
There were 38 people on board — 34 passengers and 4 crew members. All were safely brought back to the Gateway of India jetty after a rescue operation.
How were the passengers rescued?
Mumbai Police coordinated with a nearby ferry operator after receiving information through their control room. A second ferry was sent to the location, which then towed the disabled Anwari ferry back to the jetty.
Were there any injuries in the Gateway of India ferry breakdown?
No injuries or untoward incidents were reported. All 38 people on board were safely disembarked at the Gateway of India jetty following the rescue operation.
What happens next after the ferry breakdown?
Authorities are expected to investigate the exact technical cause of the breakdown. The incident may prompt a review of maintenance and safety inspection standards for commercial ferry operators in Mumbai's waters.
