Navy Craft Rams Ferry at Gateway of India, 13 Dead and Several Missing

By A Draft Correspondent 

On 18 December 2024 at around 1600 hrs, a devastating incident occurred off the Mumbai coast when a Navy craft undergoing engine trials suddenly rammed into a ferry, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos.

As per Navy sources, a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) 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 Gharapuri i.e. Elephanta Island.

(Watch the news report here)

Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, CNS, and all personnel of the Indian Navy offer heartfelt condolences to the grieving families of those who tragically lost their lives in the unfortunate accident in Mumbai Harbour, and wish for a speedy and full recovery of those who were injured.

The accident resulted in the unfortunate loss of 13 lives, including four of the six personnel on the Naval craft (one Service and three reps of the OEM), and nine on the civil ferry.

Two persons from the ferry craft are still reported to be missing, towards which, Search and Rescue operations are in progress by eight Navy craft and a naval helicopter, augmented by a Coast Guard vessel.

Search and Rescue efforts have continued throughout the night of 18 Dec - 19 Dec 2024 in the vicinity of the accident.

A Board of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident to establish the facts of the case.

Eyewitnesses captured the shocking incident on camera from the ferry.

Rescue operations underway at sea

The boat had set sail from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island when the tragedy occurred. The rescue operation was undertaken with the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and local authorities working together to save those on board.

Initially, eleven navy boats, three Marine Police boats, and a Coast Guard boat were deployed in the area, along with four helicopters for SAR. Police personnel, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPT) workers, and local fishermen were also assisting in the rescue efforts.

The survivors rescued by the Naval and civil crafts have been transferred to jetties and hospitals in the vicinity.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maritime safety and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.

(This is a developing story. Watch this space for updates)

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