At least 13 individuals have tragically lost their lives following a collision between an Indian naval speedboat and a passenger ferry off the coast of Mumbai, according to a statement from a navy spokesperson. Among the deceased are three navy personnel, while over 100 individuals have been rescued, as confirmed by Maharashtra’s chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis.
Video footage from the scene shows the speedboat circling erratically before crashing into the ferry, which subsequently capsized. The Indian navy reported that the incident was due to an “engine malfunction.”
The privately operated ferry was en route to the Elephanta Caves, a renowned tourist attraction, when it was struck by the naval craft. In an official statement, the navy expressed deep regret over the “tragic loss” of life, noting, “A Navy craft undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with a passenger ferry.”
A passenger aboard the ferry recounted the harrowing experience: “The speedboat crashed into our boat, and water started coming in, which caused it to overturn. The driver instructed us to put on life jackets.” The passenger, who chose to remain anonymous, added, “I swam for 15 minutes before being rescued by another boat.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating, “The boat mishap in Mumbai is saddening. My condolences go out to the bereaved families, and I pray for the swift recovery of the injured.”
