Mumbai boat accident: PM announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia to bereaved families

New Delhi: India witnessed a horrific boat tragedy when a Navy aircraft rammed into a passenger ferry carrying around 80 people off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday. The Navy confirmed that 13 people were died in the accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the accident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased.

The officials confirmed that a Naval personnel and two from the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) on board the Naval craft were killed in the accident.

A total of  99 people were rescued from the turbulent waters after the ferry capsized. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) said that its jawans sailed to the accident spot near Butcher Island, approximately 6 km from the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, in a patrolling boat and carried out rescue operations.

The accident took place around 4 pm on Wednesday near Butcher Island in Mumbai. According to a statement issued by the Navy, the horrific accident occurred after its craft undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with passenger ferry Neel Kamal off Karanja near Mumbai. The ferry carried passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a popular tourist destination.

"The boat mishap in Mumbai is saddening. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon. Those affected are being assisted by the authorities," Modi was quoted as saying by his office in a post on X.

"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," the PMO said.

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 were involved in the rescue efforts, the Navy said. The survivors picked up by Navy and civil craft in the area have been transferred to jetties and hospitals in the vicinity. So far, 99 survivors have been rescued, it added.

The CISF patrolling boat, alongside resources from MBPT (Mumbai Port Trust), the Navy, Coast Guard, and Coastal Police jointly carried out the rescue operations.

A total of 56 individuals were rescued by the pilot boat SHM-XXIII and brought to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) landing jetty. One critically injured child was declared dead at JNPA Hospital. All possible assistance was provided at the JNPA landing jetty to ensure the safe transfer of passengers needing medical care to JNPA Hospital.