CISF Jawans Save Lives in Mumbai Ferry Tragedy: Parents Contemplated Throwing Children into Sea

In a heroic display of courage and quick thinking, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel rescued dozens of people from a sinking tourist ferry off the Mumbai coast on December 18. The tragic accident, which occurred when an Indian Navy boat rammed into the tourist ferry ‘Neel Kamal’ on its way to Elephanta Island, claimed the lives of 14 individuals, including children and adults.

CISF constable Amol Savant, along with two of his colleagues, were the first responders to the distress call. The team, on routine patrol near the shore, received the alarming news of the sinking ferry and rushed to the scene located about 3-4 km away. Upon arrival, they were confronted with a chaotic situation. In their panic, some parents were considering throwing their children into the sea, believing it was their only chance of survival.

Savant, who is stationed at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Navi Mumbai, immediately intervened, urging the panicked parents not to take drastic measures. “I asked them not to panic and not attempt this,” he recalled. “We took charge of the situation quickly.”

Using the crucial “golden hour” of rescue operations, the CISF team prioritized saving the most vulnerable, starting with the children. Savant and his colleagues rescued around six to seven children initially before focusing on women and men. “There were many hands raised towards us, some screaming, some just requesting to be saved,” Savant said. In total, they were able to help rescue about 50-60 people from the ferry.

Sub Inspector Kheioka Sema, who arrived with a second rescue boat, recalled helping a woman in the water who was wearing a life jacket. He gently instructed her to lower her hands to prevent the jacket from slipping off. Sema also assisted in administering CPR to 10–12 victims to revive them, with the help of a foreign couple on board the ferry who assisted with the life-saving procedure.

CISF spokesperson and DIG Deepak Verma praised the professionalism and commitment of the CISF personnel involved in the operation. The jawans, trained in marine operations and amphibious survival tactics, underwent rigorous training at Chilika Lake in Odisha. Their swift and efficient response saved many lives in the midst of a harrowing situation.