Colaba Police Seek Navy and Maritime Board’s Input on Fatal Ferry Collision
Mumbai, 20th December 2024: The Colaba Police in Mumbai have approached the Indian Navy and the Maharashtra Maritime Board for detailed information regarding the tragic accident in the Arabian Sea involving a ferry and a naval boat, which resulted in 14 fatalities. Earlier this week, a naval boat conducting trials lost control and collided with a ferry heading to Elephanta Island, causing the deaths and injuries of several others. Authorities are questioning the decision to conduct trials on such a congested maritime route and are seeking information about who authorized it. Investigations are also looking into whether the trial followed proper protocols.
The inquiry is also examining claims that a throttle malfunction led to the naval boat’s loss of control, causing the crash with the ferry. Additionally, investigators are checking if the ferry was carrying more passengers than its capacity allowed.
In response to the incident, the Navy launched a Board of Inquiry on Thursday to examine the collision’s circumstances. Authorities have also made life jackets compulsory for all boat passengers departing from the Gateway of India.
The death toll from the incident increased to 14 on Thursday with the discovery of the body of a man who was among two passengers previously missing. Efforts to locate a seven-year-old boy who remains missing are still underway. Of the 113 people aboard both vessels, 98 were rescued, including two who were injured. The naval boat carried six people, two of whom survived.
