MUMBAI: Thirteen persons died and 99 others were rescued after a Navy speed boat crashed into a ferry off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.
The dead include 10 civilians and three Navy personnel, Fadnavis told reporters at Nagpur. Among the injured, four are still in the critical stage.
As per the information from the Navy, the death toll till 7:30 pm is 13, he added.
"13 fatalities have been reported so far. Survivors rescued from the incident site are being shifted to nearby hospitals," the Indian Navy posted on X.
The Navy stated that the craft lost control during engine trials in Mumbai Harbour due to a malfunction, leading to a collision with a ferry.
The Neelkamal ferry was on way to Elephanta Islands, a popular tourist destination near Mumbai, when the speed boat crashed into it around 4 pm, Fadnavis said.
He did not specify how many persons were on board the ferry and the speed boat.
Fadnavis said that the rescue operation was on and the team succeeded in rescuing several passengers. “We are in touch with the rescue team and local administration. We are closely monitoring the situation," said Fadnavis.
“Financial assistance will be provided to the deceased family members,” he added.
A rescued passenger narrating the horrific incident said that this incident took place nearly 10 Km away from Gateway of India.
“The Indian Navy speed boat directly came and dashed our passenger boat – Neelkalam and that resulting sea water coming inside the boat." said the passenger.
He said that the crew members told the passengers to wear the life jackets after the collision to avoid drowning.
"Our boat drowned in sea water where each one was in panic and trying to save themselves. We struggled a lot to keep afloat ourselves," he said.
People were rescued after the combined efforts of local fishermen, navy, coast guards rescue team, he added.
However, another passenger said that they were not given the life-saving jacket by ferry boat crew members initially. “They distributed jackets to the passengers only when the boat was sinking. Several children were also there on the boat. The early rescue operation saved the lives of many people,” he said.
The Navy and Coast Guard launched a massive rescue operation, with 11 Navy boats and three boats of Marine Police and a boat of Coast Guard being deployed in the area, a defence official said.
Four helicopters were involved in the search and rescue operation, the official said.
Personnel from the police, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and fishermen in the area were also involved in the rescue work, the official said.
The patients are admitted JNPT hospital, Navy Dockyard, Ashwini Hospital, St George, Karange, NDK Hospital, Mora in Mumbai and nearby area.
(With inputs from PTI)