Mumbai boat accident, Mumbai ferry collision, Naval vessel accident Mumbai, Maritime disaster Mumbai, Mumbai harbor tragedy
MUMBAI – The Colaba Police have launched an investigation into the Indian Navy’s authorization procedures after a devastating collision between a naval vessel and a passenger ferry claimed 14 lives in the Arabian Sea off Mumbai’s coast.
Police officials on Thursday sent formal inquiries to the Indian Navy questioning the decision to conduct boat trials in one of Mumbai’s busiest maritime routes. The investigation comes as rescue teams recovered another body, bringing the death toll to 14, with one child still missing.
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“We have written to both the Indian Navy and Maharashtra Maritime Board seeking detailed information about the incident,” a senior police official said. The authorities are particularly focused on understanding who authorized the trial run in the high-traffic zone.
The accident occurred around 4 PM when a Navy boat, conducting trials, reportedly lost control and crashed into a passenger ferry headed to the tourist destination of Elephanta Islands. Of the 113 people involved in the incident, 98 were rescued, with two suffering injuries.
The naval vessel, carrying six personnel, saw only two survivors. Sources familiar with the initial investigation suggest a possible throttle malfunction may have contributed to the accident, though this remains under investigation.
In response to the tragedy, the Indian Navy has established a Board of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances leading to the collision. Meanwhile, authorities at the Gateway of India have implemented stricter safety protocols, including mandatory life jacket requirements for all passengers.
“The safety of maritime passengers is our top priority,” said a maritime board official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are reviewing all existing protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.”
The search continues for a seven-year-old boy who remains missing, with coast guard and naval assets deployed in the area.
This incident marks one of the deadliest maritime accidents in Mumbai’s recent history and has raised serious questions about maritime safety protocols in the busy harbor area.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities expected to release preliminary findings in the coming weeks.
