Tragic Maritime Incident Claims 13 Lives as Indian Navy Speedboat Collides with Passenger Ferry Off Mumbai Coast

Mumbai, Dec 18 (NationPress) In a devastating maritime tragedy, at least 13 individuals lost their lives, which includes three sailors from the Indian Navy, and another 99 were rescued from the Arabian Sea. This incident transpired when a naval speedboat, engaged in engine trials, carelessly lost control and collided with a full passenger ferry close to the Raigad Coast, near the Gateway of India, on Wednesday evening, officials confirmed.

The passenger vessel, known as 'Neelkamal', was transporting approximately 110 tourists along with five crew members to the globally recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, Elephanta Islands. The unfortunate event occurred around 5:15 p.m., as reported by the BMC Disaster Control.

According to official sources, a rigid inflatable boat from the Indian Navy, while undergoing engine trials, crashed into the 'Neelkamal' at high speed, causing it to overturn and eject most of the tourists into the Arabian Sea near Uran, Karanja on the Raigad coast, about 10 km from the Gateway of India.

The sources noted that the ferry, 'Neelkamal', may have experienced a breakdown due to the sudden impact, leading to its overturning and subsequent sinking, with passengers thrown into the water.

Shocking videos taken by stunned passengers from nearby ferries captured horrific scenes of individuals pleading for assistance, desperately attempting to keep themselves afloat or clutching their loved ones amidst the frigid sea waters.

Upon receiving distress calls from various sources regarding the calamity, a substantial rescue operation was initiated. This effort involved four helicopters from the Indian Navy and 15 additional vessels, including the Marine Police, Indian Coast Guard, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, alongside local fishermen and other ferry boats, to assist the victims.

By 9 p.m., authorities confirmed the deaths of 13 individuals, comprising three Indian Navy sailors and 10 civilians. Several of the injured were reported in critical condition across different hospitals, while over 100 other tourists were described as being in stable condition. Efforts continued to locate five more individuals who were still unaccounted for as night set in.

It remains unclear whether the ill-fated 'Neelkamal' was operating within the mandated limits for passenger capacity and other safety regulations.

The vessel's owner, Rajendra Padte, stated that the 'Neelkamal' had embarked on its routine tourist trip to Elephanta Islands around 3:15 p.m., and just a couple of hours later, the tragic incident occurred. He asserted, “It was not our fault.” He elaborated, “An Indian Navy speedboat first circled my boat, then sped away, only to return at high speed and collide with 'Neelkamal'. All tourists were wearing life jackets, which are now mandatory. More than a dozen other boats are participating in the rescue operations,” a visibly shaken Padte informed the media.

A furious Jayant P. Patil, General Secretary of the Peasants & Workers Party of India (PWP) and former legislator, criticized the relevant authorities responsible for the disaster, as the 'Neelkamal' rapidly sank into the sea shortly after.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a brief statement in the Legislative Assembly in Nagpur, while Deputy CM Eknath Shinde communicated with Mumbai City Collector Sanjay Yadav, Raigad Collector Kisan Jawale, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ports Zone) Sudhakar Pathare to accelerate rescue efforts.

A civic official reported that 56 individuals are being treated at JNPA Hospital, 32 at the Naval Dockyard medical facility, one at INHS Ashvini Hospital, nine at St. George Hospital, and 12 at a hospital located on the mainland at Karanja.

Meanwhile, worried relatives of many victims hurried from various parts of Mumbai and beyond to hospitals to inquire about their loved ones' conditions, causing challenges for the Yellowgate Police Station officials managing the situation.

The Indian Navy is expected to initiate an investigation into the catastrophic collision that resulted in numerous casualties, including 13 fatalities, amid concerns that the death toll could potentially rise.

The Elephanta Isles, home to the world-renowned group of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and other deities, are believed to have been carved into rock between 1,500 and 2,200 years ago, making them a must-visit destination in Maharashtra.

(Quaid Najmi can be reached at: qnajmi@gmail.com)