New Delhi: The tragic aftermath of the December 18th collision between an Indian Navy boat and a tourist ferry off the Mumbai coast continues to unfold. The discovery on Saturday of the body of a seven-year-old boy, Zohan Pathan, from Goa, has tragically raised the death toll to fifteen. The boy’s mother also died in the ferry accident.
The recovery of Zohan’s body followed an extensive search and rescue (SAR) operation involving naval helicopters and boats from the Navy and Coast Guard. The search for the missing passengers was relentless, but the discovery came nearly a week after the initial incident.
Thursday saw the recovery of another body, that of a 43-year-old man, further highlighting the grim toll of the accident and the impact of the collision. The Indian Navy has initiated a formal investigation into the incident, one of the deadliest maritime accidents in Mumbai’s harbour history.
The collision occurred when a speeding Navy vessel, undergoing engine trials, lost control and collided with the passenger ferry, “Neel Kamal.” The ferry, carrying over 100 passengers on a trip from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, was significantly overloaded.
According to documents from the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), the ferry was permitted to carry only 84 passengers and six crew members, a violation of the Inland Vessel Act. Consequently, the MMB has revoked the ferry’s license.
The driver of the Navy craft has been charged with causing death by negligence, endangering the lives of others, negligent navigation, and causing wrongful loss or damage. The FIR, filed at the Colaba police station, cites relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The damaged Navy vessel remains in the Navy’s custody, but police will have access for investigative purposes as needed.
Of the 113 people aboard both vessels, 15 have tragically lost their lives, while 98 survived, with two sustaining injuries. Six individuals were on the Navy craft; two survived.
