Mumbai: A tragic collision between a passenger boat and a Navy speedboat near Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India has left 13 people dead and several others critically injured. The President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Maharashtra, Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi, expressed profound sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
The accident reportedly occurred when the Navy’s speedboat, involved in a training exercise, collided with the passenger boat. According to sources, the Navy boat had recently been fitted with a new engine undergoing testing, which led to the mishap.
In his statement, Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi said, “We stand with the victims’ families during this moment of grief. This incident has deeply saddened us.”
He also pointed out that this tragedy follows a recent accident in Mumbai’s Kurla suburb, where a speeding BEST bus claimed several lives.
“The citizens of Mumbai were still reeling from that shock when this boat accident struck,” he added.
Maulana Ilyas Falahi raised concerns about the delayed response to the accident, noting that the police were informed much later, and initial rescue efforts were carried out by local fishermen. Survivors recounted waiting 15 to 20 minutes for any rescue teams to arrive. Eventually, Navy personnel reached the site with helicopters to assist, but by then, 13 lives – including women and children – had been lost.
Maulana Ilyas Khan also criticised the apparent communication failure, stating that the police post at the Gateway of India only learned about the incident through viral videos. He urged the government to conduct an independent inquiry into the tragedy, ensure accountability, and take preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
“The question arises why a Navy training exercise was conducted in such a high-traffic area during peak operational hours for passenger boats. Could these exercises not be scheduled during non-operational hours? Unfortunately, we have become accustomed to addressing safety concerns only after catastrophic events result in significant loss of life,” he remarked.
The president of JIH Maharashtra emphasised that the delayed response and lack of awareness of such an incident at a sensitive location point to larger issues of national security and safety. He called for a thorough investigation to address these lapses and ensure public safety in the future.
