Fri Dec 27 18:45:00 UTC 2024: ## Ferry Disaster off Mumbai: 15 Dead After Navy Speedboat Collision

**Mumbai, December 28, 2024** – Fifteen people are dead and two were initially missing, later recovered, following a tragic collision between an Indian Navy speedboat and a passenger ferry off the coast of Mumbai on December 18th. The incident, which occurred near Elephanta Island, resulted in the capsizing of the overloaded ferry, *Neel Kamal*.

The Navy speedboat, undergoing engine trials, reportedly lost control due to a stuck throttle, ramming into the *Neel Kamal*, which was carrying approximately 115 passengers, more than double its capacity of 80. Eyewitnesses described the impact as “like an earthquake,” sending passengers scrambling for safety. Many survivors reported a critical shortage of life jackets, contributing to the high death toll.

Among the victims was 45-year-old Deepchand Wakchaure, a plumber whose daughter last saw him the morning of the accident. His body, along with those of 14 others, including one Navy personnel, was recovered. The bodies of the two initially missing were recovered by the 21st.

The rescue operation involved multiple agencies, including the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). Despite swift response times, with the first responders arriving within 20-30 minutes, the oil spillage from the ferry hampered rescue efforts. Survivors recounted harrowing tales of panic and struggle in the water.

The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability. Survivors and locals allege that the Navy has repeatedly conducted high-speed maneuvers near the busy ferry route, ignoring previous complaints regarding safety concerns. The Colaba police station has filed an FIR against the Navy speedboat driver under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The Navy has launched a Board of Inquiry into the accident.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh to the families of the deceased, supplemented by an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. The accident has also prompted increased scrutiny of ferry safety regulations and prompted increased police checks on ferries and passengers at the Gateway of India. The trauma endured by survivors continues, with some vowing to avoid water bodies altogether. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.

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