Seven-Year-Old Boy’s Body Found After Mumbai Boat Collision, Death Toll Rises to 15
Mumbai, December 21 – The body of a seven-year-old boy, Johan Mohammad Nisar Ahmed Pathan, was recovered on Saturday morning, three days after a tragic collision between a passenger ferry and a Navy vessel off the Mumbai coast. With this discovery, the death toll from the December 18 accident has risen to 15, officials confirmed.
Search and Rescue Operations
The Indian Navy deployed boats and a helicopter, along with Coast Guard vessels, to locate missing passengers. After extensive efforts, Johan’s body was retrieved, marking the end of the search operation. Of the 113 people aboard the ferry and the naval ship, 98 were rescued, including two injured individuals.
The Navy has launched an investigation into what is now considered one of the deadliest maritime accidents in the city’s port area.
Details of the Collision
The collision occurred on Wednesday afternoon when a naval vessel conducting engine trials collided with the passenger ferry Neel Kamal. The ferry was transporting over 100 passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. Tragically, the overcrowded ferry capsized due to the impact.
Officials revealed that the ferry, according to documents from the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), had a maximum capacity of 84 passengers and six crew members. However, it was carrying far more than the permitted limit at the time of the accident.
Investigation Underway
The police have registered a case against the captain of the naval vessel at Colaba Police Station. Preliminary findings suggest negligence in adhering to safety protocols, particularly concerning the ferry's overloading and the naval vessel's maneuvers.
Government Response
Authorities have promised a thorough investigation into the incident. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed condolences to the victims’ families and assured that steps would be taken to improve maritime safety regulations in the state.
This tragic event underscores the urgent need for stricter safety measures and better enforcement of passenger limits to prevent similar incidents in the future.
