Mumbai: At least two passengers died and 75 were rescued, while a search is underway for around a dozen others aboard a ferry that capsized off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday, police said.
The ferry, called Neelkamal, was on its way to Elephanta Islands, a popular tourist destination near Mumbai when it capsized, a police official said. A small boat dashed against Neelkamal around 4 pm, he added.
The Navy and Coast Guard have launched a massive rescue operation, with 11 Navy boats, and three boats of Marine Police and a boat of Coast Guard being deployed in the area, a defence official said.
Four helicopters are also involved in the search and rescue operation, the official said. Personnel from the police, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and fishermen in the area are also involved in the rescue work, the official said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that most of the residents have been rescued. In a post on X, Fadnavis said, "We have received reports of an accident involving the boat Nilkamal, which was heading towards Elephanta. Boats from the Navy, Coast Guard, Port and Police teams have been immediately dispatched for assistance. We are in constant touch with the district and police administration and fortunately most of the citizens have been rescued. However, rescue operations are still underway. Orders have been given to the district administration to deploy all the necessary machinery for the rescue operation."
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Aaditya Thackeray MLA prayed for the safety of the passengers. "The news of a passenger boat capsizing in the sea near the Gateway of India in Mumbai after being hit by a speedboat is shocking. Initial reports suggest that 30 to 35 passengers drowned in this accident. Rescue operations are underway with the help of the Navy, JNPT, Coast Guard, Yellowgate Police Station and local fishing boats. May this rescue operation be successful soon and all the passengers be safe, this is our prayer to God," Aaditya said in a post on X.
