PM Modi condoles loss of lives in Mumbai boat mishap

At least 13 people including a naval officer died as an Indian Navy speedboat, which was undergoing engine trials, lost control and collided with a passenger ferry off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday, the Indian Navy said in a statement.

PM Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 to the injured.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister's office said: “The boat mishap in Mumbai is saddening. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon. Those affected are being assisted by the authorities: PM @narendramodi."

“The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the boat mishap in Mumbai. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”

In the statement, the navy said 13 people including a naval officer and two people from the original equipment manufacturer were killed in the accident.

A video of the accident was captured on camera which shows the navy craft, carrying five people, speeding towards the ferry boat after losing control.

Ten ferry passengers were killed, while the remaining 102 including the two survivors from the navy craft were rescued.

"At about 1600 hours (4 pm), a navy craft undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with a passenger ferry, Neel Kamal, off Karanja, Mumbai. The ferry was carrying passengers from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island," the navy said in a statement.

The Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard and Marine Police launched an immediate search and rescue operation.

"Four naval helicopters, 11 naval craft, one Coast Guard boat and three Marine Police boats are undertaking rescue efforts. The survivors picked up by Navy and civil craft in the area have been transferred to jetties and hospitals in the vicinity. So far 99 survivors have been rescued," it said.

The video of the speedboat colliding with the ferry surfaced over two hours after the accident happened.

Earlier, it was reported the ferry started sinking. However, the cause was not known.

The boat had sailed from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, off the Mumbai coast.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh from the CM's Relief Fund to the families of those who died in the accident.

More visuals showed that people wearing life jackets were rescued and shifted to another boat, while the vessel began tilting towards the water surface.