A ferry carrying approximately 110 passengers capsized near Elephanta Island on Wednesday afternoon following a collision with a Navy speedboat. The tragic incident has left at least 13 people dead, while rescue teams have successfully saved at least 98 passengers.
The Incident
The accident occurred around 4 pm when a Navy speedboat reportedly made a U-turn and collided with the ferry heading from Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves. Eyewitness visuals show a small boat with six to seven passengers in the vicinity, moments before the high-speed vessel struck the ferry, causing it to capsize.
Rajendra Padate, the ferry owner, confirmed the vessel’s daily schedule. “A Navy speedboat dashed the ferry boat. The ferry goes to Elephanta every day around 3 pm,” he stated.
Rescue Efforts
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has coordinated rescue operations with support from the Navy, Coast Guard, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Yellow Gate police, and local fishing boats. Three teams have been deployed to the scene, working tirelessly to locate survivors and recover victims.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the incident in a statement on X (formerly Twitter):
“A report has been received about an accident involving the Neelkamal boat heading towards Elephanta. Navy, Coast Guard, Port, and Police teams have rushed to the spot for rescue operations. We are in constant touch with the district and police administration, and fortunately, a majority of citizens have been rescued. However, rescue operations are still underway. Orders have been given to deploy all necessary machinery for rescue operations.”
Investigation Underway
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collision, and an investigation is expected to follow. With safety concerns mounting, the incident has highlighted the need for stricter regulations and oversight in ferry operations near busy maritime routes.
This developing story underscores the urgency of enhancing safety protocols to prevent similar accidents in the future. Further updates will follow as rescue and recovery efforts continue.