A tragic boat accident near Mumbai’s Gateway of India claimed 13 lives but also revealed a miraculous story of survival. The Tripathi family from Gorakhpur narrowly escaped boarding the ill-fated “Neelkamal” ferry, all thanks to their children’s insistent craving for vada pav.
On Wednesday around 4:30 PM, the “Neelkamal” ferry carrying over 100 passengers set off from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves. Tragically, it collided with a speeding Indian Navy patrol boat, which reportedly lost control. The collision caused the ferry to overturn, leading to a devastating accident in the Arabian Sea.
While 13 people, including two Navy personnel aboard the patrol boat, lost their lives, 99 passengers were rescued, though some remain unaccounted for. Rescue operations continued late into the night, with search teams scouring the waters for any sign of missing passengers.
The Tripathi family, visiting Mumbai from Gorakhpur, had planned to take the Neelkamal ferry to Elephanta Caves. However, moments before boarding, their children demanded vada pav. The family decided to stay back and buy the iconic Mumbai snack. This unforeseen delay kept them off the ferry, which later on sank, ultimately saving their lives.
Anjali Tripathi, a member of the family, expressed her gratitude, saying, “We are alive today because of our children’s craving for vada pav.”
According to media reports, the Navy’s patrol boat initially took a wide turn before crashing head-on into the Neelkamal. The impact caused the ferry to capsize almost instantly. Of the 100+ passengers onboard, 99 were successfully rescued due to prompt action by nearby boats and rescue teams.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of life’s unpredictability and the small moments that can make a difference between tragedy and survival.
