'Never seen such horror': First responders after Mumbai ferry accident
What's the story
A deadly collision between a ferry and an Indian Navy craft off the Mumbai coast has left 13 dead.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when a Navy vessel, undergoing engine trials, lost control and rammed into a passenger ferry headed from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island.
Around 99 people were rescued from the scene by first responders, who described the event as chaotic and tragic.
Rescue details
First responders recount harrowing rescue operation
Arif Bamane, a pilot boat driver for Mumbai Port Trust (MBPT), was one of the first responders to the accident site.
He said rescuers prioritized women and children in the operation.
Bamane's boat, which had only four crew members, rescued around 20-25 people before handing them over to naval boats.
He recalled performing chest compressions on a small girl who had water in her lungs till she started breathing normally.
Additional rescues
Tourist boat driver rescues 16 individuals
Another boat driver, Iqbal Gothekar, arrived at the scene soon after leaving Elephanta Island. His tourist boat saved 16 people and brought them back safely to the Gateway of India.
Both Bamane and Gothekar said they had never seen such a horrific incident in their careers.
The capsized ferry had a capacity of 80 people and left the Gateway of India for Elephanta Island around 45 minutes before the disaster, PTI reported, citing sources.
Passenger
Water started entering our boat: Passenger
"The speedboat crashed into our boat and water started entering our boat and it overturned. The driver asked us to wear lifejackets," a passenger on board the vessel told ABP Majha.
"I swam for fifteen minutes before I was rescued by another boat," the passenger, who did not identify himself, said.
Relief
PM announces relief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised an ex gratia payment of ₹200,000 from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each killed in the boat tragedy, as well as a ₹50,000 payout to the injured.
The Elephanta Caves, which attract a regular stream of tourists throughout the year, are a UNESCO historical site constructed between the 5th and 6th century A.D.