Mumbai Boat Mishap: Screams and Tears Echo as First Responders Share Ordeal

On a tragic Wednesday near Mumbai's Karanja, a Navy craft undergoing engine trials spun out of control and collided with the Neel Kamal passenger ferry. This vessel had been shuttling passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a sought-after tourist spot. The collision, which took place around 4 pm, resulted in the deaths of thirteen people, while 99 survivors were rescued by a concerted effort involving the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police.

The casualties included one naval personnel and two individuals from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) present on the Navy craft. According to Mumbai police, the deceased comprised seven men, four women, and two children. The local boating community, accustomed to the waters, was among the first to respond to the emergency. Boat drivers who were on hand to aid recounted the scene as unprecedented in their experience.

Arif Bamane, who pilots the Mumbai Port Trust (MBPT) boat Poorva, described the aftermath of the collision as chaotic and heartbreaking. He detailed the rescue of a small girl who was found unresponsive due to water inhalation. Through prompt chest compressions, the girl's breathing was restored, highlighting the immediate focus on saving women and children. Bamane, with 18 years of experience in boat driving, labeled the incident as the most horrific he's ever encountered, noting that his team managed to rescue about 20-25 individuals before naval reinforcements arrived.

Iqbal Gothekar, another boat driver, shared his account of rushing to the aid of the ferry passengers. Only 25 to 30 minutes after departing Elephanta Island, he learned of the disaster and quickly made his way to the site. His boat, with the help of a fishing trawler that had also arrived, succeeded in rescuing 16 people. Gothekar, who has been steering boats since 2004, expressed his shock over the calamity, marking it as a first in his lengthy career.

The ferry, designed to carry 80 passengers, had embarked from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island around 45 minutes before the tragic incident occurred near Butcher Island. The critical response from nearby boaters was instrumental in the rescue efforts, demonstrating a community's quick action in the face of disaster.