At least 13 people have lost their lives after an Indian naval speedboat collided with a privately-owned ferry near the coast of Mumbai. The incident, described as tragic by naval officials, occurred during engine trials of the naval vessel, which reportedly experienced a malfunction leading to the crash.
Among those who perished, three were navy personnel, while the local Maharashtra state chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, confirmed that more than 100 passengers were successfully rescued. Eyewitness accounts describe chaotic scenes as the speedboat collided with the ferry, which was on its way to the Elephanta Caves, a renowned tourist attraction.
Dramatic footage circulating on social media demonstrates the speedboat’s erratic behavior before the collision, which resulted in the ferry capsizing. A passenger recounted the terrifying experience to ABP Majha, stating, "The speedboat crashed into our boat, water began flooding in, and we flipped over. The driver urged us to don life jackets. I swam for 15 minutes before a rescue boat reached me."
In response to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow, conveying condolences to the grieving families and wishing for the speedy recovery of those injured. The Indian navy has since issued a statement emphasizing their regret over the "tragic loss" of life while confirming the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
