Boat Ferrying Passengers to Elephanta Caves Capsizes Near Gateway of India; 2 Dead, 5 Missing
Mumbai, India: A tragic accident unfolded near Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India on Wednesday, leaving two passengers dead and five others critically injured after a ferry en route to Elephanta Island capsized. Of the 85 people aboard the vessel, 80 have been rescued, while search efforts are ongoing for five missing passengers.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the incident occurred when the Neelkamal ferry was struck by a speedboat that circled it before losing control and crashing into the vessel. A viral video capturing the moments before the collision has sparked widespread attention.
🚨 Tragic ferry accident near Gateway of India: Speedboat collides with ferry, capsizing it. Passengers stranded in water as rescue ops continue. #MumbaiNews #FerryAccident #RescueOps pic.twitter.com/Spp27bO6Tw
— Punenow News (@itspunenow) December 18, 2024
Massive Rescue Effort Mobilized
In a coordinated response, rescue operations have been launched involving the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police. The operation includes 11 Navy boats, three Marine Police boats, and one Coast Guard vessel, along with four helicopters conducting extensive Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the state assembly in Nagpur, confirming that efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining missing passengers. He said, “we have received reports of an accident involving the Nilkamal ferry, which was en route to Elephanta Island. Boats from the Navy, Coast Guard, Port Authority, and Police teams have been immediately dispatched to assist in the rescue efforts. We are in constant communication with the district and police administration. Thankfully, most of the passengers have been rescued; however, the rescue operations are still ongoing. I have directed the district administration to deploy all necessary resources and machinery to ensure the success of the operation.”
Condition of Survivors
Out of the rescued passengers, five individuals remain in critical condition at a nearby hospital, while the rest are reportedly stable. The ferry was headed to Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular tourist destination, making the tragedy even more concerning.
Call for Investigation
Authorities are probing the circumstances leading to the accident, with attention on the speedboat’s involvement and adherence to maritime safety protocols. The incident raises questions about the regulation of water transport in the busy tourist corridor near Mumbai.
Rescue teams continue to search for the missing passengers, with hopes of finding survivors diminishing as time passes. This accident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of safety in transportation and the need for stringent operational guidelines.
