Gateway Of India Boat Accident: Engine Not At Fault In Tragedy That Claimed 13 Lives, Manufacturer Tells Navy Inquiry

Mumbai: In the December 2024 boat accident at the Gateway of India, a Naval speedboat had rammed into the passenger boat Neelkamal, resulting in the tragic death of 13 civilians and one Navy personnel.

Indian Navy Constitutes An Internal Inquiry

Following the incident, the Indian Navy constituted an internal inquiry committee to investigate the cause of the crash. A key aspect under scrutiny was whether a malfunction in the Naval boat’s engine had led to the collision. To this end, the Navy had approached the engine manufacturer for a detailed technical report.

Now, sources reveal that the company has submitted its findings to the Navy’s inquiry panel, as well as to Mumbai Police. According to the report, the engine was not at fault, ruling out mechanical failure as the cause of the accident.

Case Registered

Meanwhile, a case had already been registered at the Colaba Police Station against the operator of the Navy boat and others involved. Police had initially suspected that loss of control over the boat led to the crash.

The Colaba police are expected to file a chargesheet in the case soon, and the engine manufacturer’s report is likely to be a crucial document in the prosecution’s evidence, according to officials familiar with the matter.