Policemen speak with a passenger after he was rescued in a
joint operation by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard after a ferry
capsized off Mumbai coast, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. At least one passenger
died and and 66 were rescued. (PTI Photo/Shashank Parade)
MUMBAI —
Thirteen persons died and 99 others were rescued after a Navy craft crashed
into a ferry off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday, the Navy said.
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- At about 4 pm, a Navy craft undergoing engine trials lost
control and collided with passenger ferry Neel Kamal off Karanja near Mumbai,
the Navy said in a statement. The ferry was carrying passengers from the
Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a popular tourist destination.
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- “Search and Rescue efforts were immediately launched by the
Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard and Marine Police. Four naval helicopters,
11 naval craft, one Coast Guard boat and three Marine Police boats were
involved in the rescue efforts,” the Navy said.
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- “The survivors picked up by Navy and civil craft in the area
have been transferred to jetties and hospitals in the vicinity. So far 99
survivors have been rescued,” it added.
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- The accident led to the loss of 13 lives, including a Naval
personnel and two from the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) on board the
Naval craft, the Navy said.
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- Accounting of all personnel is in progress along with SAR
efforts in the area, it said.
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- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters
in Nagpur that 101 persons have been rescued.
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- “Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the collision
between passenger ferry and Indian Navy craft in Mumbai Harbour. Injured
personnel, including naval personnel & civilians from both vessels, are
receiving urgent medical care,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted on X.
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- “My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
Extensive search & rescue efforts are ongoing by the Indian Navy &
Coast Guard, deploying multiple assets, to locate missing persons,” Singh
added.
