MUMBAI: In one of the deadliest accidents in the Mumbai harbour area, a collision between a seemingly out-of-control Indian naval speedboat and a ferry plying tourists to Elephanta Island around 1.5 nautical miles (nearly 2.8km) from the Gateway of India on Wednesday evening resulted in 13 deaths.
The dead included a naval sailor and two from a boat manufacturing company who were part of a team carrying out a trial.
The collision which took place close to Butcher Island off Mumbai around 4pm led to the sinking of the ferry vessel. The initial rescue was carried out by a trawler and pilot boats from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) on the mainland, which took around 15-20 minutes to reach the spot.
However, there was no clarity on whether the ferry, Neel Kamal, had made a distress call or if the rescue was initiated on basis of information from other vessels in the vicinity. Some officials involved in the rescue operation said had the JNPT pilot boats not arrived with a stock of life jackets, the casualties could have been higher.
The Navy, in coordination with Coast Guard and marine police, was also involved in the rescue. Eleven naval boats, three boats of marine police and three vessels of the Coast Guard were pressed into action. Four helicopters undertook a search and rescue operation, said a Navy official.
The survivors were transferred to jetties and hospitals in the vicinity, the officer said. Of the 13 dead, 10 have been identified, said police. They include seven men, four women and two children. The injured were rushed to govt and naval hospitals, including INS Ashwini, St. George’s, NAD hospital, Mora, and JNPT hospital for treatment.
Many of those taken to hospitals were given first aid and discharged as they did not sustain any serious injuries, said an official. Four are reported to be critical. CM Devendra Fadnavis said a swift rescue operation saved 101 passengers.
The speedboat was conducting engine test trials when a suspected technical fault occurred. A board of inquiry has been set up by the Navy. An FIR has been filed against the speedboat’s driver and others.
Tourists to Mumbai face tragedy on high seas
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said a swift offshore rescue operation in Mumbai saved 101 people on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, he announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of those who died. He also assured a thorough investigation by local authorities and Navy to determine the cause of the collision and address lapses in safety protocols.
“A terrible accident occurred when a Navy boat hit Neel Kamal company’s passenger boat near Butcher Island in the Arabian Sea. Hundred and one passengers of the boat have been safely evacuated. According to the information given by Navy Vice Admiral Sanjay Jagjit Singh, 13 people were declared dead by 7.30 pm,” Fadnavis said.
Passengers on the vessel who belonged to the city were from Malad East, Kurla, Mulund, Jui Nagar in Navi Mumbai and Nalasopara. Those from outside Mumbai were from Rajasthan, Baramati, West Bengal, Bihar, Kerala, Gujarat, Raipur and Hyderabad. There were also a few foreigners on board.
Eleven rescue craft and 6 helicopters were deployed to carry out the operation.
Efforts are on to ascertain if any individuals are still missing, with a final report expected by Thursday morning, said the CM.
Further updates on the rescue mission and findings of the inquiry will be shared soon, he added.
The speedboat which collided with the ferry was described as a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) carrying six people— two Naval personnel and four OEM staff members. Video recordings by passengers on the ferry showed the RIB unable to alter its course and hit the vessel at high speed.
Subhash More, a master employed with a boat at Gateway, alleged that Navy boats often come dangerously close to the ferry boats operating from Gateway. They move around at high speed affecting the stability of our boats and creating imbalance in our boats.
“We have complained to naval personnel on several occasions and have requested them to keep a distance, considering the condition of our boats. Sometimes, they claim that they come close to check our boats,” More added.
Ashok, a passenger of the ill-fated boat, said, “We left from Gateway and were a few kilometres into the sea when a speed boat began criss-crossing around us. It suddenly rammed into our boat causing water to enter into our vessel. I asked for a life jacket, and as I was wearing it, the boat capsized. I jumped into the water and swam for about 15 minutes. I was rescued by another small boat. There were many children in our boat and rescue teams did not reach till about 30 minutes.”
The ferry is registered in the name of Mahesh Tours and Travels, which is owned by the Padte family.
Sunil Padte, 60, appeared before the Colaba police for questioning, said his brother Rajendra.
Natharam Chudhary (22), a survivor and Sakinaka resident, lodged an FIR with Colaba police station against the speedboat driver and other responsible persons. The accused were booked under sections 106 (1) for causing death by negligence, 125 (a) (b) for an act endangering life or personal safety of others, 282 for rash navigation of vessel and 324 (3) (5) for mischief under the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita.
Police have heightened security in the area and ambulances were seen parked at the Gateway of India. Police have stopped entry to tourists at the Gateway. Offices of tourist boat operators, teeming with people on normal days, were shut. These included the office of the operators whose boat had capsized following the crash.
