13 Dead as Navy Speedboat Collides with Ferry in Mumbai, Probe Initiated

Mumbai: At least 13 people were killed in a tragic accident on Wednesday afternoon when a naval speed craft, undergoing sea trials, lost control and collided with the Neelkamal ferry off the Mumbai coast. The ferry was en route to Elephanta Island from the Gateway of India, carrying over 105 people, including 20 children, at the time of the accident.

According to reports, the naval boat, which had six people aboard—including two Navy personnel and four staff members—rammed into the side of the passenger ferry at around 3:55 PM. The collision resulted in the death of at least 13 individuals, including one naval officer and two Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) staff members aboard the naval craft.

In a statement released by the Navy, they confirmed the incident, saying, “At about 1600 hours on 18 Dec 24, a Navy craft undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with a passenger ferry, Neelkamal, off Karanja, Mumbai. The ferry was carrying passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. Search and rescue efforts were immediately launched by the Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard and Marine Police. Four naval helicopters, 11 naval craft, one Coast Guard boat, and three Marine Police boats undertook rescue efforts.”

The survivors of the collision included passengers from the ferry as well as the naval craft. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a total of 105 individuals were rescued and admitted to various hospitals for treatment, including JNPT, INHS Sanjivani Hospital, Karanja, St. George Hospital, and Ashwini Naval Hospital.

A 22-year-old survivor, Natharam Chaudhary, from Sakinaka, Mumbai, has filed a complaint with the Colaba police, accusing the naval speedboat driver of negligence. The police have registered an FIR under Crime Number 283/24, citing sections of the BNS Act, including charges for negligence and endangering the lives of passengers.

Videos that went viral on social media show the chaotic aftermath as passengers screamed for help and rescue teams worked tirelessly.

Chaudhary, who was aboard the ferry, told authorities that the accident was the result of a lapse in judgment by the Navy personnel operating the speedboat. The authorities have since launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the collision and identify those responsible.

In response to the tragedy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for the families of the victims from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, calling the incident "extremely unfortunate." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences, offering an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the kin of the victims.​