Ro-Ro ferry with 200 pax, 75 vehicles stranded mid-sea off Palghar; rescue op underway
Palghar (PTI): The Ro-Ro ferry between Saphale and Virar in Maharashtra's Palghar district carrying 200 passengers and 75 vehicles got stuck mid-sea on Sunday evening due to a technical failure triggered primarily by overloading, officials said.
Due to the excess weight, the hydraulic ramp serving the roll on-roll off ferry snapped, rendering the vessel immobile in the water off Mharambalpada, they informed.
"For a few hours passengers remained stranded on the vessel while the crew and local marine authorities tried to stabilise it for coordinated rescue efforts. Police personnel and marine rescue teams from the district administration also rushed to the scene. Rescue and repair operations are ongoing," an official said.
The incident appears to have resulted from both mechanical failure and overloading as well as low tide and an inquiry has been ordered, he added.
"It was a technical problem and due to the tide position the boat was struck for some time. When the situation returned to normal, the vessel reached the jetty and the passengers were de-boarded safely. No one is injured in the incident," Bolinj police station senior inspector Prakash Kawle told PTI.
Palghar district disaster management cell chief Vivekanand Kadam told PTI the hydraulic platform in the jetty malfunctioned.
"It has been set right. People are being taken off the vessel, while vehicles have already been removed," Kadam said.
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Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren condoles death of Champai Soren's grandson
Ranchi (PTI): Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday condoled the death of Veer Soren, grandson of Champai Soren.
Veer Soren died at Kulu in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday. He was 19.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden demise of Veer Soren, the grandson of Champai Soren, in Kulu. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace at the feet of Marang Buru, and may the grieving family be granted strength to bear this unbearable sorrow. In this hour of profound grief, we stand with them," Soren posted on X.
Former CM and BJP leader Champai Soren posted on X that his grandson died of a sudden illness in Himachal Pradesh.
"He was rushed to hospital on February 24 following sudden illness but could not be saved," Champai Soren posted on X.
