In an effort to find survivors of a bizarre boat accident that killed at least 13 people the day before, including three naval members, helicopters and divers searched the waters near Mumbai, the financial center of India, on Thursday, according to officials.
A privately owned boat transporting visitors to the adjacent Elephanta caves, which are renowned for their rock art, was struck by a naval speedboat that lost control. As a result, the ferry capsized, although 114 people were saved.
The municipal corporation said on the WhatsApp messaging service that 13 bodies had been found and 97 people were stable, with four in serious condition.
According to a naval officer who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to the media, navy and coast guard vessels joined forces to search the harbor for at least two individuals who are still thought to be missing: an adult and a child.
According to the officer, the accident occurred while a new speedboat engine type was being tested.
The officer told Reuters, “It looks like the engine got stuck at maximum throttle, but we will know better once the inquiry is finished.”
When queried about the comments, a naval spokesperson did not immediately reply.
A speedboat carrying at least five people collided with the passenger ship, according to television channels.
Witnesses reported that as soon as the privately owned Neelkamal was rammed, water began to pour into it, and people hurried to put on life jackets before plunging into the river.
In addition to expressing sympathy for the deceased, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the next of kin 200,000 Indian rupees ($2,400) in compensation payments and 50,000 Indian rupees ($600) for each injured person.
In a post on X on Wednesday, he also said, “The boat accident in Mumbai is heartbreaking.”
The Gateway of India monument at the southern edge of the city is the starting point for the approximately hour-long boat ride to the caverns, which are Unesco world heritage sites that date from the fifth and sixth century AD.
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