Ferry Capsizes Off Elephanta Islands: 13 Dead, Many Missing – What Went Wrong?

Mumbai: A boat carrying approximately 60 passengers capsized while ferrying people from Elephanta Caves to the Gateway of India. The boat, named Neelkamal, overturned, leaving 13 people dead and several others still missing. 

While 66 passengers were rescued, the search continues for a dozen missing individuals, according to news agency PTI. The incident occurred during a routine ferry ride, which was popular among tourists visiting the Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The Neelkamal boat, which was not designed to carry such a large number of passengers, was reportedly overcrowded at the time of the mishap. 

The naval speed-craft undergoing trials in the sea went out of control and rammed into the ferry. The naval boat’s engine had been recently changed and the new engine was being tested.

The engine got stuck in full throttle and the boat went out of control and rammed into the ferry Neelkamal. The naval boat had 6 persons on board including 2 naval personnel and 4 members from the firm which had supplied the engine, said Indian Navy officials.

Eyewitnesses Narrate Ordeal

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, eyewitnesses reported that a speeding boat was circling the passenger ferry before it collided with it. The ferry, which had departed from Gateway of India around 3:30 PM, was approximately 5 to 8 km into its journey to Elephanta when the incident occurred. The route between Mumbai and Elephanta spans about 30 km and typically takes 40 to 45 minutes.

Recounting the chaos after the collision, a passenger said, “I boarded the ferry at around 3:30 PM. About 10 kilometres into the sea, a speeding boat rammed into us. Water began flooding the ferry, and the driver immediately instructed everyone to wear life jackets. I managed to put mine on, but by then, the boat was already sinking. I swam for nearly 15 minutes before another boat arrived to rescue us."

The passenger also noted that children were on board, and life jackets were not distributed until the ferry began taking on water. “The speeding boat had about 8 to 10 people on board. One of its passengers suffered a leg injury, while another reportedly lost their life in the collision,” they added.  

Massive Rescue Operation Underway

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 police, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and fishermen in the area were also involved in the rescue work, he added. 

CM Fadnavis, Deputy CM React To Boat Tragedy

“We have received reports of an accident involving the boat Nilkamal, which was heading towards Elephanta. Boats from the Navy, Coast Guard, Port and Police teams have been immediately dispatched for assistance. We are in constant touch with the district and police administration and fortunately most of the citizens have been rescued. However, rescue operations are still underway. Orders have been given to the district administration to deploy all the necessary machinery for the rescue operation”, Fadnavis said in a tweet. 

He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the bereaved families. "The final information regarding any more missing people will be available tomorrow morning. The bereaved families will be given Rs. 5 lakhs ex gratia from the CM relief fund. The whole incident would be investigated by the police and the Navy...", he added.   

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed authorities to expedite the rescue operations, which were launched by the Indian Coast Guard and local police.

"Deputy CM Shinde took information about the rescue operations from the Mumbai City and Raigad District Collectors. Giving instructions to speed up the rescue operations with the help of the Navy, JNPT, Coast Guard and local fishing boats, Deputy Chief Minister Mr Shinde told the system," Deputy Chief Minister's Office said in a statement.

"Upon receiving information about the accident of the ferry boat going to Elephanta, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Shinde contacted Raigad District Collector Kisan Jawale and Mumbai City District Collector Sanjay Yadav over the phone and inquired about the rescue operations. At the same time, he also spoke to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ports) Sudhakar Pathare over the phone and inquired about the information," the statement added.