2 dead, 75 rescued after speed boat rams into ferry off Mumbai coast
Mumbai, Dec 18: Two passengers died and 75 others on board a ferry were rescued after a speed boat crashed into it off Mumbai coast on Wednesday, officials said.
The Neelkamal ferry, with 80 persons and five crew members on board, was on way to Elephanta Islands, a popular tourist destination near Mumbai, when the speed boat circled it before crashing into it, a viral video of the accident shows.
A local leader claimed that the speed boat belonged to the Navy, but there was no confirmation from the Navy on this.
The Navy and Coast Guard launched a massive rescue operation, with 11 Navy boats and three boats of Marine Police and a boat of Coast Guard being deployed in the area, a defence official said.
Four helicopters were involved in the search and rescue operation, the official said.
Personnel from police, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and fishermen in the area are also involved in the rescue work, the official said.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the state assembly in Nagpur that search is underway for seven to eight passengers who are yet to be traced.
The speed boat, which is said to belong to either the Navy or Coast Guard, apparently lost control and rammed into the ferry, Fadnavis said.
🔴#Watch | 1 Dead After Speedboat Slams Into Ferry With 56 Passengers Off Mumbai https://t.co/XLE0W6Mmgy pic.twitter.com/NXoybZQiXG
— NDTV (@ndtv) December 18, 2024
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Suspected Zika case: Sample from Andhra sent to NIV Pune for confirmation
Nellore (Andhra Pradesh), Dec 18: A five-year-old boy from Venkatapuram village in Nellore district has been tested for Zika virus, with his blood sample sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation.
Nellore District Collector O Anand stated that the child was transferred to Chennai for advanced treatment after a local laboratory suspected a Zika virus infection.
"We have a suspected case, but it is not yet confirmed. We collected the sample and sent it to the laboratory (NIV, Pune). Once we receive the confirmation, we will have a clearer understanding," Anand told PTI.
In response to the suspicion, health measures have been implemented, including a health camp, additional sample collection near the child's residence, and sanitation efforts, the collector said.
Anand reassured the public, stating there is "no need to panic" as rapid response teams are in place and all necessary precautions have been taken.
"The case is still a suspect; it could be negative or positive. Even if it is positive, we are well-prepared," he said, adding that the district administration does not expect the case to be a Zika infection due to the child's lack of travel history.
