Mumbai ferry capsize: Survivors say no life jackets, case against Navy boat driver

Passengers on the private boat which collided with a Navy speedboat off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday revealed that they were not provided life jackets.

The boat, carrying over 110 passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, capsized after it collided with a Navy speedboat. At least 13 people were killed, and 115 were rescued, the officials said. The Police have filed an FIR against the driver of the Navy speedboat based on the complaint of a survivor, Natharam Chaudhary from Mumbai’s Sakinaka.

According to an Indian Navy statement, the accident took place after the speedboat, under engine trials at sea, lost control due to a malfunction and hit the ferry.

‘NO ONE HAD LIFE JACKETS, LOST MY AUNT’
Gautam Gupta, a resident of Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh, recounted his experience. Gupta lost his aunt in the accident while travelling with her and his cousin to Elephanta Island. “No one on the boat had life jackets. After the collision, we pulled several people out of the water and onto the boat. About 20 to 25 minutes later, the Navy rescued us, but by then, we had lost my aunt,” he said.

‘NAVY’S SPEEDBOAT WAS PERFORMING STUNTS’
Shravan Kumar, a resident of Jalore in Rajasthan, captured the incident on video. Kumar said, “The Navy’s speedboat was performing stunts. This raised our suspicions, so I started recording. Moments later, the boat collided with our ferry.” The video has since gone viral on social media.

NAVY SAID SPEEDBOAT’S ENGINE FAILED
The Navy said that the speedboat was a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) undergoing engine trials, and lost control due to engine malfunction.

The dead include 12 civilians, including two on the naval boat, and one Indian Navy official. A total of 115 people were rescued from the ferry. One Navy official and two employees of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) onboard the speedboat were among those killed.

A massive search operation is underway, as part of which, 11 Navy boats, three boats of Marine Police and a boat of the Coast Guard are deployed in the area.

FINANCIAL AID FOR VICTIMS FAMILIES
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the people killed in the accident and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Maharashtra’s Chief Minister also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the dead.