Mumbai Boat Accident: 13 Dead Including 2 Kids, PM Modi Announces ₹2 Lakh Ex Gratia

Mumbai Boat Accident: A gruesome maritime disaster occurred nearly 2 kms away in sea from Gateway of India, claiming the lives of at least 13 persons, including children. The deceased include three Indian Navy sailors.

A total of 99 were rescued from the Arabian Sea when a naval speedboat on engine-trials lost control and abruptly rammed into a chockful passenger ferry, near the Raigad Coast, off Gateway of India, on Wednesday around 6.30 pm, officials said.

The passenger ferry set sail at 3:15 pm and the mid-sea crash took place at 3:55 pm. Neel Kamal was carrying many people from out of town, some of whom were visiting the city for the first time.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed grief over the loss of 13 lives following a collision between two boats in Mumbai while announcing an ex-gratia of ₹ 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased and ₹ 50,000 assistance for the injured individuals.

"The boat mishap in Mumbai is saddening. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon. Those affected are being assisted by the authorities," Modi was quoted as saying by his office in a post on X.

"The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the boat mishap in Mumbai. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," the PMO said.

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The Navy immediately launched Search and Rescue efforts in coordination with the Coast Guard and Marine Police. Four naval helicopters, 11 naval craft, one Coast Guard boat and three Marine Police boats were involved in the rescue efforts, the Navy said.

Soon after the incident, a message was sent to the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) of the Indian Navy and four helicopters were sent to search the missing. Vice Admiral Sanjay Singh who heads the Western Naval Command, and chief of staff Ajay Kocchar went to the JOC to supervise the rescue operations.

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