13 dead, 101 rescued in Mumbai ferry tragedy; Maharashtra CM announces Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia

NAGPUR: At least 13 people have died and two are critically injured after a ferry capsized off the coast of Mumbai on Wednesday evening, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed. The CM said the incident occurred around 3.55 pm when a passenger vessel named ‘Neelkamal’ capsized in the sea after colliding with a Navy boat.

“The rescue operation is still ongoing, and a final statement will be issued tomorrow”, said CM Fadnavis. The Chief Minister announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh will be provided from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of those who lost their lives.

live video of Navy speed boat collides with a ferry near Gateway of India, Apollo Bunder, Mumbai.#boataccident https://t.co/gZYxHJvl7p pic.twitter.com/qb8B0Zie2Y

— Raajeev Chopra (@Raajeev_Chopra) December 18, 2024

Addressing the media, CM Fadnavis said, “Near Mumbai, on Buchar Island, a passenger vessel named Neelkamal capsized around 3:55 pm after colliding with a Navy boat. So far, 101 people have been rescued, but 13 lives have been lost as of 7:30 pm. Among the deceased, 10 were civilians, and three were Navy personnel. Two critically injured individuals are being treated at Navy Dockyard Hospital”.

“The Indian Navy, Coast Guard and police deployed 11 crafts and four helicopters for the rescue operation. However, the operation is still ongoing, and further information will be available by tomorrow morning regarding any missing persons. Families of those who lost their lives will receive an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh from the CM Relief Fund. The incident will be jointly investigated by the police and the Indian Navy”, he added.

#WATCH | Mumbai Boat Accident | The Indian Coast Guard carried out rescue operations after a ferry capsized near the Gateway of India.

(Video Source: Indian Coast Guard) pic.twitter.com/dAGOT83v2X

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2024

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Navy explained that the collision occurred when an Indian Navy craft lost control during engine trials in Mumbai Harbour due to an engine malfunction. This resulted in the death of 13 people. According to the Navy, 99 survivors have been rescued so far.

#WATCH | Mumbai Boat Accident | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, “Near Mumbai, at the Butcher Island, a Navy boat collided with ‘Neelkamal’ passenger vessel at around 3.55 pm. As per the information till 7.30 pm, 101 have been rescued safely and 13 people have died. Among… pic.twitter.com/9hnAeeGpJD

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2024

“Search and rescue efforts were immediately launched, involving four naval helicopters, 11 naval crafts, one Coast Guard boat and three marine police crafts to recover survivors”, the Indian Navy stated. The Navy spokesperson further added, “This afternoon, an Indian Navy craft lost control during engine trials in Mumbai Harbour due to engine malfunction, which led to the collision with a passenger ferry that subsequently capsized. Thirteen fatalities have been reported. Survivors are being shifted to nearby hospitals. As of the last update, 99 survivors have been rescued”.

According to officials, the ferry, carrying 85 passengers, including five crew members, was en route to Elephanta Island when the incident occurred near Uran, Karanja, around 6.30 pm. (ANI)