Mumbai Boat Tragedy: 13 Dead, 101 Rescued In Mumbai Ferry-Navy Collision; Massive Rescue Ops Underway

Thirteen people, including 10 civilians and three Navy personnel, lost their lives, and 101 others were rescued after a Navy speed boat collided with a ferry near Mumbai on Wednesday. The incident occurred around 4 PM when the Neelkamal ferry, en route to Elephanta Islands, was struck by the speed boat.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the death toll and highlighted the extensive rescue operations involving 11 Navy boats, three Marine Police boats, a Coast Guard vessel, and four helicopters. Local police, port authorities, and fishermen also assisted in the rescue efforts.

The mishap prompted an immediate response, with the Indian Coast Guard and Navy deploying vessels to the scene for rescue operations. Preliminary reports indicate that most of the passengers have been successfully rescued and are safe. However, search efforts for the remaining missing persons are ongoing.

A ferry boat carrying 35 tourists from Elephanta Island to #Mumbai’s Gateway of India capsized near the island around 4 PM. Coast Guard and Navy teams have rescued most passengers, while search operations for the missing are underway. pic.twitter.com/W1xrcKsFgi

— Madhuri Adnal (@madhuriadnal) December 18, 2024

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic as the ferry began to tilt, with several passengers jumping into the water in an attempt to save themselves. Local fishermen also played a crucial role in the rescue efforts, bringing many passengers to safety before official help arrived.

#breaking A boat carrying people from gateway of India in Mumbai to elephanta caves capsized near gateway . Ferry neelkamal has sunk in uran having 30-35 people .Relief and rescue operations are undergoing #Mumbai #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/51DhGwAGlU

— Anshul (@anshulmumbaidel) December 18, 2024

The Indian Coast Guard confirmed the deployment of multiple search and rescue teams, including helicopters, to locate and assist any missing passengers.

Mumbai Police reported that the ferry boat 'Neelkamal' capsized near Uran, Karanja, with approximately 30-35 passengers onboard. Rescue operations are currently in progress, involving the Navy, Coast Guard, Yellowgate Police Station, and local fishing boats. Further details are awaited, according to the police.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the boat tragedy, directing the district administration to deploy all necessary resources for the rescue mission.

एलिफंटाकडे जाणाऱ्या नीलकमल या बोटीचा अपघात घडल्याचे वृत्त प्राप्त झाले. नौदल, कोस्टगार्ड, पोर्ट, पोलिस पथकच्या बोटी तातडीने मदतीसाठी रवाना करण्यात आल्या आहेत. जिल्हा आणि पोलिस प्रशासनाशी सातत्याने आम्ही संपर्कात असून, सुदैवाने बहुसंख्य नागरिकांना वाचविण्यात आले आहे. तथापि अजूनही…

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 18, 2024

"We have received information about the accident involving the boat Nilkamal, en route to Elephanta Island. Rescue boats from the Navy, Coast Guard, Port, and Police teams have been immediately dispatched to assist. We remain in constant touch with the district and police administration. Thankfully, most passengers have been rescued, but rescue operations are ongoing. The district administration has been instructed to utilize all available resources for the rescue efforts," the CM shared in a post on X.

The Gateway of India, a popular tourist attraction in Mumbai, sees a steady flow of ferry services connecting it to Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient rock-cut caves.