Tragic Mumbai Boat Accident During Navy Speedboat Trial

The tragic accident happened near Gateway of India on December 18, 2024 when the navy speedboat doing engine trials collided with a ferry carrying passengers named Neelkamal killing 13 people while hundreds were injured.

It happened nearly about 4 pm when a navy speedboat lost control, colliding with the ferry.

The Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police launched swift rescue operations.

A total of 101 passengers were rescued but 13 lives were lost, including 10 civilians and three Navy personnel. It was headed to Elephanta Island, a popular tourist destination when the collision happened.

Watch the moment a Navy speed boat collides with a ferry near Gateway of India, Apollo Bunder, Mumbai.
Tragic accident causes ferry to capsize leading to casualties. pic.twitter.com/Dm0itvgsT8

— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) December 18, 2024

The Navy speedboat driver has an FIR filed against him; investigations are under progress to ascertain exactly what transpired. The Navy claims that the speedboat lost control during its engine test, thereby causing the catastrophe.

#WATCH | Mumbai Boat Accident | Morning visuals from Gateway of India

Yesterday a Navy boat collided with ‘Neelkamal’ passenger vessel at around 3:55 pm, near Jawahar Dweep (Butcher Island)

101 people have been rescued safely and 13 people have died. Among the 13 deceased, 10… pic.twitter.com/EaKVnR1ycd

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024

The survivors have given accounts of the terrible moments of the accident, including one survivor who claims the impact was so tremendous that passengers on the speedboat were flung up into the air and crashed onto the ferry deck. For the relatives of those slain as well as surviving, his influence was tremendous.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid ex-gratia ₹2 lakh to the families of the departed.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reassured the families that all necessary steps were being taken to guarantee such events do not recur in future.

This sad event reminds us all that the engine trials’ safety procedures must be rigorously followed and that ongoing awareness is needed to stop such mishaps in the future.