At least 13 people died when an Indian Navy boat collided with a ship carrying more than 100 passengers, which capsized off the coast of India’s financial capital, Mumbai, on Wednesday (18), according to authorities.
The Navy reported that 99 people were rescued and that efforts continue.
“An Indian Navy vessel lost control during engine testing at Mumbai Port due to malfunction. As a result, a collision with another ship occurred,” the armed force declared in a statement on X.
Local TV channels even showed the collision that caused the accident.
“The boat hit, water started to enter and the boat capsized. The crew member asked us to wear life jackets,” a passenger commented to the ABP Majha news channel.
“I swam for fifteen minutes before being rescued by another boat,” reported the passenger, who did not identify himself.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent “condolences to the bereaved families” in an X post.
Modi also announced a payment of US$2,356.63 from the National Relief Fund to the next of kin of the accident victims and US$590 to the injured.
The privately owned passenger ship, called Neelkamal, was heading towards the Elephanta Caves, a popular tourist destination off the coast of Mumbai, when it capsized, according to BMC.
The caves, which receive a constant flow of tourists throughout the year, are a UNESCO heritage site and were built between the 5th and 6th centuries AD.
Boats from the Gateway of India, the southernmost point of Mumbai, make regular trips to ferry tourists to the site, an hour away.
This content was originally published in Shipwreck in India after collision with Navy boat leaves at least 13 dead on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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