13 Dead in Navy Speedboat Malfunction

At least 13 people, including three navy personnel, lost their lives, and two others are missing after a navy speedboat crashed into a passenger ferry near Mumbai. The ferry, carrying over 100 people, was headed to the Elephanta Caves, a well-known tourist spot, when the accident happened on Wednesday afternoon.

Video clips show the speedboat circling before hitting the ferry, which capsized shortly after. Passengers described a chaotic scene, with no instructions from the ferry staff. Many had to jump into the water and swim for safety. A passenger, Gautam Gupta, said he thought the speedboat was doing stunts and started filming, only to see it crash. Rescuer Arif Bamane said cries for help were coming from every direction.

The Indian Navy said the speedboat was undergoing engine trials when it lost control. An investigation has been launched to understand what went wrong. A navy spokesperson expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and said the details will become clearer once the speedboat is recovered.

Rescue teams continued searching for the two missing passengers on Thursday. Survivors have criticized the ferry staff for their lack of emergency support, which made the situation even worse.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the accident tragic and announced 200,000 rupees for the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees for those injured.

This is the second maritime accident in a month. In November, a submarine collided with a fishing boat off Goa, leaving two people missing.