Thu Dec 19 16:42:06 UTC 2024: ## Mumbai Boat Collision Death Toll Rises to 14; One Child Still Missing
**MUMBAI, INDIA –** The death toll from Wednesday’s tragic boat collision off the Mumbai coast has risen to 14, with the recovery of a 43-year-old man’s body late Thursday evening. Hansaraam Bhati, who had been reported missing by his family, was identified among the victims. His family had been anxiously waiting for news at the Colaba police station.
The accident occurred when a Navy speedboat, undergoing engine trials, collided with the passenger ferry *Neel Kamal* near Karanja. The ferry, carrying passengers to Elephanta Island, capsized around 4 pm on Wednesday. While over 100 passengers were rescued by the Coast Guard and other security personnel, one seven-year-old child remains missing.
Initial reports suggest engine malfunction may have caused the Navy speedboat to lose control, leading to the collision. A Navy board of inquiry has been launched to investigate the incident. The Mumbai police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the occupants of the speedboat, including the driver, on charges of negligence, based on a complaint filed by a ferry passenger who filmed the accident. The video has since gone viral on social media. The investigation continues to determine the exact cause of this devastating accident.
First Piper 