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The body of a 43-year-old man, one of the two passengers reported missing after a collision between a Navy craft and a passenger ferry near Mumbai, was recovered on Thursday.

The incident, which occurred off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday, has now claimed 14 lives, police confirmed.

The body was discovered near the ferry ‘Neel Kamal’, which was carrying over 100 passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island when it was struck by a naval vessel. Search operations are ongoing to locate a seven-year-old boy who remains unaccounted for, a police official stated.

Efforts to find the missing child involve a naval helicopter and boats from both the Navy and the Coast Guard. Eight boats, including specialised vessels from the Navy and Coast Guard, are engaged in the Search and Rescue (SAR) mission, the official added.

Of the 113 individuals on board the two vessels, 14 have perished, while 98, including two injured passengers, were successfully rescued. The naval craft
carried six personnel, two of whom survived the collision.

The tragic accident has cast a pall of grief over the city. Thirteen victims, comprising Navy personnel and two contractual naval employees, lost their lives when the Navy craft collided with the ‘Neel Kamal’ on Wednesday afternoon.

The Indian Navy has ordered a Board of Inquiry to ascertain the circumstances leading to the accident. In an official statement, the Navy said, “A Board of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident to establish the facts of the case.”

Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and extended wishes for a swift recovery to those injured.

"We deeply mourn the loss of lives in this unfortunate accident and stand with the grieving families during this tragic time," he said.

The collision has raised questions about the protocols followed in shared maritime zones and the safety measures aboard vessels operating in these waters.

Meanwhile, the authorities have intensified efforts to ensure the safety of ferry services between the Gateway of India and Elephanta Island.