In a harrowing maritime mishap near Mumbai, a naval speedboat, while undergoing engine trials, collided with a passenger ferry named Neelkamal, leading to a catastrophic outcome. The incident, which unfolded on December 18, 2024, has left 13 dead, including navy personnel and civilians, with over 100 individuals rescued from the waters off the Gateway of India.
The sequence of events began when the Indian Navy speedboat, described as a rigid inflatable boat (RIB), lost control due to an engine malfunction. The boat was in the process of testing a new engine when disaster struck around 4 pm near Butcher Island (Jawahar Dweep), approximately 8.25 kilometers from the Gateway of India. This collision caused the ferry, which was en route to Elephanta Island, to capsize.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage captured by passengers show the speedboat zigzagging before making a sharp turn towards the ferry, unable to alter its course in time. The impact was sudden and severe, with survivors recalling the chaos of passengers screaming for help and the desperate struggle to stay afloat.
Rescue operations were promptly launched, involving a significant effort from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and Marine Police. The operation included 11 naval boats, three marine police vessels, one Coast Guard boat, and four helicopters. By the end of the night, 101 people were rescued, though the loss of life was confirmed to be 13, with two individuals critically injured and receiving treatment.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, expressing condolences and ensuring a thorough investigation into the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his sympathies, announcing an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
The aftermath has sparked a significant conversation on maritime safety, especially regarding the timing and location of naval testing exercises in busy passenger routes. Experts and boat operators have criticized the decision to conduct engine trials during peak hours, questioning the oversight and safety protocols in one of Mumbai’s busiest maritime corridors.
An FIR was registered at Colaba police station against the navy speedboat’s driver under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges for causing death by negligence and reckless navigation. The Indian Navy has initiated a Board of Inquiry (BOI) to delve into the specifics of this tragic event, ensuring accountability and aiming to prevent future occurrences.
This accident has not only highlighted the urgent need for enhanced safety measures but also emphasized the importance of life jackets, which were notably absent or insufficient on the ferry at the time of the incident. Following this tragedy, life jackets have been made mandatory for all passengers on ferry rides from the Gateway of India.
As Mumbai mourns the lives lost, the collective focus shifts towards ensuring such tragedies are not repeated, with calls for stricter regulations, better monitoring of maritime traffic, and a reevaluation of naval testing protocols in civilian-adjacent waters.
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