Ferry capsized off Mumbai Coast killing 14 people so far Photo: PTI Ferry capsized off Mumbai Coast killing 14 people so far Photo: PTI

In one of the deadliest crashes in Mumbai's harbourjilipark, a speeding Navy craft undergoing engine trials that lost control collided with a passenger ferry 'Neel Kamal' off Karanja near Mumbai on Wednesday killing 13 passengers. The body of the 14th deceased passenger was found on Thursday leaving another person missing.

The Navy on Thursday instituted a Board of Inquiry to probe the collision.

"A Board of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident to establish the facts of the case," the Navy said.

The body of the 43-year-old man was found near the ferry, police said. Search operation continues to locate a seven-year-old boy who is still missing.

The tragedy struck when the speeding Navy craft undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with passenger ferry 'Neel Kamal' off Karanja near Mumbai. The ferry carrying more than 100 passengers was on its way from the Gateway of India to the Elephanta Island, a popular tourist attraction which has a collection of ancient caves.

There were 113 persons on board both vessels and 14 died while 98, including two, were injured and rescued. Only two out of the six persons on board the Navy craft survived.

Investigation On Mumbai Capsize So Far

The Mumbai police said that the investigations carried out so far have revealed the ferry had a capacity of 90 passengers, but it had over 100 persons on board.

According to the documents issued by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), the boat had permission to carry 84 passengers and 6 crew members, but it was overloaded with over a 100 persons.

Police have collected all documents related to the ill-fated ferry.

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A case has been registered against the Navy craft driver at the Colaba police station.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections invoked in the FIR related to the tragedy included those related to causing death by negligence, actions that endanger the personal safety or life of others, rash or negligent navigation of a vessel and acts of mischief that cause wrongful loss or damage to individuals or the public

There were two German nationals and one Canadian on board ‘Neel Kamal’ at the time of the mid-sea collision and they were safely rescued, he said.

Cops have so far recorded the statements of nine persons who were rescued by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Mumbai police and CISF teams and identification of all the 13 bodies has been done.

The accident-affected craft is in the custody of the Navy and police will demand it whenever needed for investigation.

The mangled passenger ferry has been taken to ‘Bhaucha Dhakka’ (a wharf near Dockyard Road) in south Mumbai, another official said.

Meanwhile, a Mantralaya (state secretariat) official told PTI the Maharashtra Maritime Board earlier in the day submitted an interim report on the incident to the state government.

"The MMB has issued a show-cause notice to the owner of the boat Neel Kamal in connection with the tragedy and sought an explanation," he added.

A day after the collision, authorities made life jackets mandatory for all people taking boat rides from the Gateway of India.

Some tourists, however, said the life jackets would be of help only if people know how to use them.

The authorities should instruct people how to use the life jackets in case of an emergency, they said.

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Some survivors of the tragedy on Wednesday claimed the ferry did not have enough life jackets.

Mumbai Ferry-Craft Crash Rescue Operation

A naval helicopter and boats of the Navy and Coast Guard were deployed on Thursday to look for the missing passengers.

Eight boats, including those from the Navy and Coast Guard are involved in the Search and Rescue (SAR) operation, the official said.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday told the state assembly that three persons injured in the boat tragedy included a four-year-old girl and an eight-month pregnant woman.

He said the third injured is a Navy staffer and his condition is serious.

Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi offered condolences to the grieving families of those who lost their lives in the accident.jilipark