In a tragic maritime disaster, 13 people, including three Indian Navy sailors, drowned while another 99 were rescued after a Navy speedboat lost control and collided with a passenger ferry near the Raigad coast, off Gateway of India, on Wednesday evening.
The passenger vessel, a private catamaran named ‘Neelkamal’, was carrying around 110 tourists and five crew members to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Elephanta Caves when the collision occurred at approximately 5:15 PM, according to the BMC Disaster Control.
The Indian Navy’s rigid inflatable boat (RIB), undergoing high-speed engine trials, reportedly rammed into the Neelkamal, overturning it and throwing passengers into the sea near Uran and Karanja, roughly 10 km from the Gateway of India. Eyewitnesses stated that the ferry started sinking shortly after the collision.
Videos captured by bystanders on nearby boats showed harrowing scenes of passengers struggling in the water, screaming for help, and trying to hold onto their loved ones in the cold Arabian Sea.
Upon receiving distress signals, a large-scale rescue effort was launched involving the Navy, Marine Police, Coast Guard, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, local fishermen, and other ferries in the area. Four Navy helicopters and 15 rescue vessels were deployed to assist in the search and recovery operations.
By 9 pm, officials confirmed the recovery of 13 bodies, including three Navy personnel and 10 civilians. While over 100 survivors were rescued and admitted to hospitals, at least five people remain missing. Many survivors are reported to be in stable condition, though several are critically injured.
The ferry’s owner, Rajendra Padte, maintained that the incident was caused by the Navy’s boat. “The Neelkamal departed on its regular trip to Elephanta Islands at 3:15 pm. The Navy’s speedboat first encircled my ferry, sped off, and then returned at high speed, colliding with us. All our passengers were wearing life jackets as per safety regulations,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis briefed the state assembly about the incident, while Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed officials to expedite rescue efforts.
PWP leader Jayant P. Patil criticized the authorities, blaming negligence for the tragedy. He demanded accountability and strict measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The rescued individuals have been admitted to various hospitals, including JNPA Hospital (56), Naval Dockyard Medical Facility (32), INHS Ashvini (1), St. George Hospital (9), and a local hospital in Karanja (12). Meanwhile, anxious relatives have gathered at these facilities, seeking updates on their loved ones.
The Indian Navy is expected to initiate a formal inquiry into the collision. Questions have also been raised about whether the Neelkamal was following passenger capacity and safety protocols at the time of the accident.