Mumbai: “We were enjoying the sea journey towards Elephanta Caves, capturing the thrilling maneuvers of a Navy speedboat on our mobile phones for reels. Suddenly, after three to four rounds of sharp circling, the speedboat crashed into our ferry. Within just three minutes, everything turned chaotic. The boat capsized, and all we could hear were screams and desperate cries for help,” recalls Shravan Kumar Chaudhari, a survivor from Ahmedabad.
Shravan Kumar, along with his friends Jeetu Chaudhary and Natharam Chaudhary, had come to Mumbai for sightseeing after a trip to Goa. Describing the horrifying experience, Shravan Kumar said, “We were on the upper deck, having fun, when we noticed a Navy speedboat performing sharp turns nearby. I was shooting a video when, after a few rounds, it collided with our ferry. Panic spread instantly, and we rushed downstairs. In just three to five minutes, the boat overturned, throwing everyone into the sea.”
#WATCH | Mumbai: Ferryboat With Around 30 Passengers Capsizes Near Gateway Of India; Rescue Efforts Underway#MumbaiNews #GatewayOfIndia #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/AAA5upOeCF
— Free Press Journal (@fpjindia) December 18, 2024
Shravan Kumar shared, “I managed to grab a life jacket, but it was too small, meant for a child. Eventually, I found a crate floating nearby and used it for support. Those who were drowning held on to each other’s hands, and we floated together for almost 30 minutes. All around us, people were struggling; some were sinking. I vividly remember seeing a family mourning the loss of their infant, who had vanished in the chaos. It was heart-wrenching.” He added, “Just when it felt like all hope was lost, the Navy arrived at the scene. By God’s grace, we survived.”
The harrowing incident has left survivors traumatized, highlighting the need for stricter safety measures and accountability for maritime activities. The first video of this tragedy was shot by Natharam and Shravan Kumar. Natharam has become the complainant, and the statements of Jeetu and Shravan Kumar have been recorded by the Colaba Police.
