A tourist boat traveling from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves capsized on Wednesday afternoon, leading to a tragic loss of lives and injuries. So far, 13 people have been confirmed dead, while over 90 have sustained injuries, with 4 to 5 individuals in critical condition. Survivors shared harrowing accounts of the ordeal that has left many shaken.
Vaishali Adkane, a resident of Kurla in Mumbai, was aboard the boat with her 14-month-old son and family. Recounting the horrifying incident, Vaishali said, “We were a group of eight heading to Elephanta Caves for a holiday. About 40 to 50 minutes into our journey, a white speedboat came rushing towards us at high speed and collided with our boat. The impact threw many of us off our seats. One person from the speedboat was flung onto our boat and seemed almost lifeless, while another appeared to have succumbed shortly after.”
Initially, the passengers thought they were unharmed, but soon noticed a hole in their boat caused by the collision. The boat operator quickly instructed everyone to wear life jackets, which Vaishali’s brother distributed among their group. Despite the precautions, the boat began tilting and eventually started sinking.
“I was desperate to save my 14-month-old son, Sharvil,” Vaishali recounted. “My brother initially held him above water with one hand and later placed him on his shoulder while clinging to the boat for support. We floated like this for nearly half an hour, clinging to the hope of survival. Many who lost their life jackets or were swept away by the current drowned immediately.”
After approximately 30 minutes, rescue boats arrived and pulled survivors from the water. “If help had come even five to ten minutes later, we might not have survived,” Vaishali added.
Vaishali also highlighted the bravery of a foreign couple who selflessly saved multiple lives during the disaster. “When the boat started sinking after the speedboat collision, this couple risked their own lives to save seven to eight passengers, helping them board the rescue boats,” she said.
