Mumbai boat

water began gushing in very fast. We were in knee deep water. Siddhesh Pawar, who is missing, was crying out for help but we could not save him. Officials are still searching for him.”

The government had hired two boats from a private company to ferry officials, media persons and political leaders to inaugurate the Shivaji Memorial, about 2.6 kilometres west of Nariman point.

Soon after the incident, two helicopters – CH 467 and SC 559 – were put into service for rescue operations, said an Indian Coast Guard spokesperson.

Two people were picked up by other boats in the vicinity, the ICG spokesperson said. Two Marine police boats have been pressed into service to tow the boat.

According to officials, safety norms were not followed by the public works department (PWD). A high level probe is also likely to be ordered by the state government.

Peasant and Workers Party of India leader Jayant Patil alleged serious lapses by the government. “I was called by the personal secretary of PWD minister Chandrakant Patil requesting for help. Two boats of my company (PNP Maritime Services) rushed to the spot within minutes and rescued the officials stranded. The boats were overcrowded and the sailors were not given life jackets. The government should have used police or coast guard boats,” he said.

TWO BOATS FROM A PVT COMPANY TO FERRY OFFICIALS, MEDIA PERSONS AND POLITICAL LEADERS TO INAUGURATE THE SHIVAJI MEMORIAL, ABOUT 2.6 KM WEST OF NARIMAN POINT