Thirteen passengers, including three Navy personnel, were confirmed dead in the Elephanta ferry capsize near Butcher Island, Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Wednesday. The incident occurred when a Navy speedboat collided with a passenger ferry traveling to Elephanta Island from the Gateway of India.
The collision was attributed to a throttle malfunction in the Navy boat’s newly installed engine, which caused the vessel to lose control, resulting in the crash, CM Fadnavis stated during a media briefing in Nagpur. The Navy boat was reported to have been undergoing engine testing at the time of the incident.
As of 7:30 PM, 101 passengers had been rescued, with efforts ongoing. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation reported that the condition of four passengers was critical, with three receiving treatment at the Navy hospital. CM Fadnavis also mentioned that the condition of these injured passengers remains under close observation.
The tragedy occurred during the winter session of the Maharashtra state legislature, amplifying the urgency of rescue and investigation efforts.
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