A survivor of the Mumbai boat tragedy, which claimed 14 lives on Wednesday, has contested the Navy’s assertion that engine failure caused the collision. He alleged the Navy speedboat’s driver was “showing off” when the crash occurred near Karanja off the Mumbai coast.
The incident unfolded as the Navy craft, undergoing engine trials, lost control and collided with the passenger ferry Neel Kamal around 4 pm. The ferry, carrying passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, was a popular tourist vessel.
Gaurav Gupta, a vegetable vendor from Nalasopara, recounted the tragic events. “My aunt, who had come for my wedding, joined us for sightseeing. I never imagined it would be the last day of her life,” Gupta told PTI.
Survivor Challenges Official Narrative
Refuting claims of mechanical failure, Gupta stated that the speedboat’s driver appeared to be in a playful mood, performing stunts and zig-zagging through the water. “It seemed like a display,” he said, adding that many ferry passengers were recording videos of the speedboat’s erratic maneuvers.
As the boat approached the ferry with five to six occupants onboard, the driver allegedly attempted a risky maneuver to narrowly avoid the ferry but miscalculated, resulting in the collision.
Tragic Consequences
The impact threw one speedboat passenger onto the ferry, which began sinking shortly after. Gupta recalled initially underestimating the gravity of the situation. “We thought the ferry was undamaged, but it soon started sinking,” he said.
Notably, many ferry passengers were reportedly not wearing life jackets at the time of the collision. Gupta also observed that the speedboat’s passengers appeared calm and unaffected before the crash, suggesting there was no prior indication of mechanical issues.
The tragedy has sparked calls for stricter safety regulations and accountability in maritime operations near Mumbai’s coastline.
