A tragic boat accident off the coast of Mumbai has left at least 13 people dead, including three navy personnel, with two individuals, an adult and a child, still missing as search operations continue.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when a naval speedboat, during a trial of a new engine, lost control and collided with a privately-owned ferry transporting tourists to the famed Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient rock art. The ferry, identified as the "Neelkamal," capsized following the impact.
According to officials, 114 people were rescued from the ferry. Among the survivors, 97 are reported to be in stable condition, while four remain critical. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation confirmed the fatalities via WhatsApp messaging.
Rescue efforts intensified on Thursday as helicopters and divers joined naval and coast guard vessels to locate the missing individuals. A naval officer, speaking anonymously, revealed that the accident might have been caused by the speedboat's engine malfunctioning and getting stuck at maximum throttle. An official inquiry is underway to determine the exact cause of the mishap.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos as water rushed into the ferry after the collision. Passengers scrambled for life jackets and jumped into the sea to save themselves. Television footage captured the moment of impact, showing the speedboat with five people onboard ramming into the "Neelkamal."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims' families in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), describing the tragedy as "saddening." He announced relief payments of ₹200,000 for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
The Elephanta Caves, located on Elephanta Island, are a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world. Tourists typically travel by ferry from Mumbai's iconic Gateway of India for the hour-long journey to the site.
Authorities have assured a thorough investigation to prevent similar accidents in the future, as the city mourns the loss of lives in this rare and devastating mishap.