At least 13 dead after Indian navy speedboat crashes into a passenger ferry off Mumbai

Passengers who were rescued after an Indian Navy speedboat lost control and crashed into a ferry carrying 100 passengers off the Mumbai coast. Credit: AP

At least 13 people have been killed after an Indian navy speedboat crashed into a ferry carrying over 100 people to a popular tourist destination off Mumbai on Wednesday.

A statement from the Indian navy said 99 ferry passengers were rescued.

They were on their way to Elephanta Island when the speedboat circled and collided with the ferry “Neelkamal.”

The speedboat was undergoing engine tests and lost control, the statement said.

The dead included one navy personnel and two others on a navy craft, it said.

Four helicopters and 11 naval craft were used in the rescue, and the tourists were picked up by navy and civilian boats and transferred to jetties and hospitals nearby.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he was "deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives" in the collision and gave his "heartfelt condolences" to the bereaved families.

The Elephanta Caves on the island have temples and images from Hindu mythology and are a popular tourist destination off Mumbai, India’s financial and entertainment capital.

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