Tragedy In Navy Speedboat That Ended Near Gateway of India
The case was filed against the driver of the Navy speedboat that went out of control and rammed into a passenger ferry near the Gateway of India on Wednesday and killed 13 persons.
Navy officials claimed that the speedboat was carrying two Navy personnel and four Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) representatives, who were testing the new engine. Mahendra Singh Shekhawat of the Indian Navy and two OEM representatives — Pravin Sharma and Mangesh — died in the incident.
Engine Testing Accident Kills 13
A craft belonging to the Indian navy, a speedboat that was in trial for a newly installed engine, developed a snag before it rammed into the passenger ferry boat off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday claiming 13 lives, as reported by the navy.
Investigation Underway: Such a committee is known as the Board of Inquiry to Determine Cause
An investigation is currently ongoing to ascertain the cause of the accident. Still, it is thought that due to a problem with the engine, the rider was unable to control the craft and crashed into the other vehicle.
The officials stated that although they were unaware whether one of the two navy officials or any one of the five other occupants (onboard the speedboat) was handling the boat’s wheel, a board of inquiry would be formed to investigate the matter.
MUMBAI COAST ACCIDENT: 🚨🚨
A tragic collision off Mumbai's coast as a Navy speedboat crashes into a ferry. At least 13 dead, many injured. Rescue operations are ongoing...#boataccident #MumbaiFerryAccident pic.twitter.com/Y1GTqHIa6z— चंदन मिश्र (@_chandanmishra_) December 18, 2024
When the rider lost control, six persons including four OEMS started the trial as soon as the new engine was fitted when the accident happened with the passenger ferry Neel Kamal off Karanja, Mumbai around 4.00 p.m. Ferry crossing from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island at that time.
Rescue work is underway after a ferry capsized off the Mumbai coast when a Navy craft crashed into it, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. At least 13 passengers died and 99 were rescued. (PTI Photo)
According to the Mumbai police officials, an FIR has been filed against the occupants of the Speed Boat including the navy boat driver.
Within minutes, a video of a high-speed speedboat ramming into a ferry boat circulated widely on social media. The man who was named in the video as Natharam Chaudhary, is the person who shot the video and he is the complainant in the case,” said a senior Mumbai police officer present on the scene as the policemen traced some negligence that they have registered the case under appropriate section of negligence among others.
MUMBAI COAST ACCIDENT: 🚨🚨
A tragic collision off Mumbai's coast as a Navy speedboat crashes into a ferry. At least 13 dead, many injured. Rescue operations are ongoing...#boataccident #MumbaiFerryAccident pic.twitter.com/Y1GTqHIa6z — चंदन मिश्र (@_chandanmishra_) December 18, 2024
Navy spokespeople further said that the speedboat was powered by two Navy members and four OEMs in testing the new engine. The deceased include Mahendra Singh Shekhawat, a Petty Officer of the Indian Navy, and two OEM employees Pravin Sharma and Mangesh.
“One of the participants involved in the test on the speed boat is in critical condition, and two others are in hospital,” a Navy spokesman revealed.
Rescuers trying to save passengers after a ferry capsized off the Mumbai coast when a Navy craft crashed into it. (PTI Photo)
“The Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard and Marine Police enacted search and rescue missions in the immediate aftermath. 4 naval helicopters, 11 naval crafts, 1 coast guard boat, and 3 marine police boats are being used in the rescue mission,” a defence official said.
The officials said that a board of inquiry will be set up to determine the cause and circumstances of the occurrence. “We will find out the cause of the failure of the engine and examine if there were other causes that led to the mishap”, they said.
FINANCIAL AID FOR VICTIM’S FAMILIES
The incident provoked anger from the public that followed a strong reaction from Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, by offering Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured survivors.
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra also enriched the families of the deceased with Rs 5 lakh each.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: PTI
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Manish Kumar had pursued a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Amity University, Haryana. He is an enthusiastic and dedicated writer, who has worked with several ministries of the Government of India and contributed his voice to major campaigns and programmes. Being devoted to practicing significant journalism, Manish does his best to become a voice of change in society. Not only does he tell but also persuades, which is indicative of his strong conviction in the perspective of media.
