The death toll from the Mumbai boat collision has risen to 15, following the recovery of the body of a seven-year-old child during the search and rescue operation today. The child’s mother also lost her life in this tragic incident, which occurred on Wednesday, 18th December, when a Navy craft undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with a passenger ferry off Karanja, Mumbai.
The ferry was carrying passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. Of the 113 people aboard both vessels, 98 were rescued, 13 lost their lives on the day of the incident, and two were initially reported missing. The search and rescue team recovered the body of one of the missing individuals on Thursday.
Expressing his grief over the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of 2 lakh rupees for the families of the deceased and 50 thousand rupees in assistance for the injured. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has declared that an aid of five lakh rupees will be provided to the families of the deceased.