On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of 13 lives resulting from a boat collision in Mumbai, announcing a financial aid package for the victims’ families.
An ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of those deceased, alongside Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Taking to X, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), quoting Prime Minister Modi posted, “The boat mishap in Mumbai is saddening. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon. Those affected are being assisted by the authorities: PM @narendramodi.”
The boat mishap in Mumbai is saddening. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon. Those affected are being assisted by the authorities: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 18, 2024
“The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the boat mishap in Mumbai. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” the PMO added.
The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the boat mishap in Mumbai. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. https://t.co/EPwReaayYk
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 18, 2024
Collision Details
The horrific collision occurred on Wednesday evening, with at least 13 individuals confirmed dead, including three Indian Navy sailors.
Officials rescued over 99 people from the Arabian Sea after a naval speedboat, in the midst of engine trials, lost control and collided with a passenger ferry near the Raigad Coast, close to the Gateway of India.
The ferry, identified as a private catamaran named ‘Neelkamal’, was carrying approximately 110 tourists and five crew members to the UNESCO Heritage Site of Elephanta Islands when the accident transpired around 5:15 PM, as reported by the BMC Disaster Control.
Witnesses noted that the Navy’s rigid inflatable boat crashed into the ‘Neelkamal’ at a high speed, causing the passenger vessel to overturn and eject most tourists into the Arabian Sea near Uran, Karanja, approximately 10 kilometers from the Gateway of India.
Initially, it appeared the ‘Neelkamal’ might have sustained a mechanical failure before the collision, as sources indicated the vessel flipped over almost instantly upon impact, leading to a chaotic scene in the water.
Disturbing videos taken by onlookers from nearby ferries captured the panic, showing people thrashing in the water and screaming for help while trying to save one another from the cold sea.
Responding to multiple emergency alerts about the incident, authorities launched a large-scale rescue mission.
The operation included four Indian Navy helicopters and 15 vessels belonging to the Marine Police, Indian Coast Guard, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, along with assistance from local fishermen and other ferry operators.
By 9 PM, officials reported 13 fatalities – three Navy personnel and 10 civilians – while several victims remained in critical condition in hospitals, with over 100 others in stable condition.
Authorities continued search efforts into the night to locate at least five individuals still unaccounted for.
“It Was Not Our Fault”: ‘Neelkamal’ Owner Defends Vessel After Accident
Questions arose regarding whether the ‘Neelkamal’ was operating within the legal limits for passenger capacity and safety protocols at the time of the accident.
Rajendra Padte, the vessel’s owner, claimed the ‘Neelkamal’ had begun its routine tour to the Elephanta Islands at 3:15 PM, just hours before the incident.
“It was not our fault. An Indian Navy speedboat first encircled my boat, then zoomed off, and returned again at high speed and banged into ‘Neelkamal’. All the tourists were wearing life jackets which are now compulsory,” a shaken Padte told reporters.
The tragedy drew criticism from local politicians, including Jayant P Patil, General Secretary of the Peasants & Workers Party of India (PWP), who condemned the responsible authorities for the incident that led to such devastating consequences.
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