Indian Navy-ferry disaster: Search for 2 feared missing in Arabian Sea

Mumbai: Search and rescue operations resumed on Thursday morning after at least two tourists were reported missing following a deadly collision between an Indian Navy speedboat and a passenger ferry off the Gateway of India in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday evening. The tragic incident claimed 13 lives, including four naval personnel.

In one of the worst maritime disasters near Mumbai, 13 people were killed and another 105 were rescued when the ferry, 'Neelkamal', was en route from Gateway of India to Elephanta Isles, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ferry was struck by the Navy speedboat in the water channel near Butcher Island, around 5 kilometers from the Gateway of India.

Officials reported that the Indian Navy, Marine Police, and other agencies have deployed vessels to locate the two individuals who were thrown into the sea after the collision. The accident occurred around 4:00 PM when a Navy speedboat, undergoing engine trials, lost control and collided with full force into the 'Neelkamal'. Chilling videos of the incident surfaced late on Wednesday night.

The private catamaran, 'Neelkamal', was carrying over 100 tourists and five crew members when the tragedy struck. The Navy’s rigid inflatable boat, while on engine trials, rammed into the passenger vessel, overturning it and throwing many passengers into the water near Karanja on the Raigad coast, approximately 10 kilometers from the Gateway of India.

Rajendra Padte, the owner of the ferry, stated that the 'Neelkamal' had departed on its regular voyage around 3:15 PM, and the collision happened just minutes later, adding that the incident was not the fault of the ferry crew.

Peasants & Workers Party of India (PWP) General Secretary and ex-legislator Jayant P. Patil criticized the authorities for the tragedy, which led to the 'Neelkamal' sinking shortly after the crash.

In the wake of the disaster, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and several opposition leaders expressed their condolences for the loss of innocent lives. The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh, while the Chief Minister promised Rs 5 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased, along with financial assistance for the injured.

As of now, 57 individuals have been admitted to JNPA Hospital, with others being treated in various medical facilities, including Naval Dockyard, INHS Ashvini, and St. George Hospital. Around eight individuals who had recovered have been discharged.

With IANS inputs