At least 13 people have died and two more are missing after an Indian Navy craft lost control while undertaking engine trials in Mumbai Harbour due to engine malfunction, the spokesperson of the Indian Navy said on Wednesday, December 18.
As a result of the incident, the boat collided with a passenger ferry which subsequently capsized.
The spokesperson said on December 18 that 99 people were rescued with efforts ongoing for others.
At the time of writing this article, 13 fatalities have been reported.
Two persons from the ferry craft are still reported to be missing, spokesperson said on Thursday, whilst search and rescue operations are in progress by eight navy craft and a naval helicopter, augmented by a coast guard vessel.
The navy said yesterday in a social media post on X (former twitter) that search and rescue efforts have continued throughout the night of 18-19 December 2024 in vicinity of the accident.
The Indian navy reported that there had been an “engine malfunction.”
A board of inquiry has been ordered into the accident to establish the facts of the case, according to the report from the spokesperson.
Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi has offered condolences to the families of the victims of the incident and called the incident saddening.
The prime minister’s office in a post on X said: “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”.
Taking to X, the president of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu also expressed her wishes for the swift recovery of the injured.
“I am shocked and saddened to learn of the accident involving a passenger ferryboat and an Indian Navy craft boat near Mumbai Harbour. My condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives. I pray for the swift success of the rescue and relief operations and a quick recovery of the survivors.”
More news will be reported about the incident.
