MUMBAI, Dec 18: A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Mumbai on Wednesday when a Navy speedboat collided with a ferry, resulting in the deaths of thirteen individuals and the rescue of 101 others, as confirmed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The fatalities include ten civilians and three Navy personnel, according to Fadnavis, who spoke to reporters in Nagpur. He noted that the latest information from the Navy reports a total of thirteen deceased by 7:30 PM.
The Neelkamal ferry was en route to the Elephanta Islands, a well-known tourist spot near Mumbai, when the speedboat struck it around 4 PM. Fadnavis indicated that a local leader claimed ownership of the speedboat by the Navy, although this has not been officially validated by Navy sources.
In response to the accident, the Navy and Coast Guard initiated a large-scale rescue operation, deploying eleven Navy boats, three Marine Police boats, and one Coast Guard vessel to the scene, a defense official reported.
Four helicopters supported the search and rescue efforts, with participation from local police, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, and nearby fishermen.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the state assembly in Nagpur that attempts are ongoing to locate seven to eight passengers who remain unaccounted for.
Fadnavis mentioned that the speedboat, which is believed to belong to either the Navy or Coast Guard, appeared to have lost control before crashing into the ferry. (AGENCIES)
