An unfortunate accident occurred on December 18 in Maharashtra where an Indian Navy speed boat collided with a passenger Ferry. Against this backdrop, Pakistan-based accounts shared a claim that an Indian Navy missile vessel hit a Passenger ferry, killing at least 13 people and 80 onboard, off the coast of Mumbai.
Following we also found other users sharing the homogeneous claim
Fact Check
The DFRAC team investigated the viral claim and found it to be false. According to a media report from Hindustan Times dated 19 Dec 2024, “13 people, including an officer of the Indian Navy and 2 contractual naval employees, were killed when a naval speedboat which was carrying out engine trials dashed against a passenger ferry, Neel Kamal, carrying over 100 passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island”
We also checked for the official account of Spokesperson Navy (@indiannavy) where they clarified that an Indian Navy craft lost control while undertaking engine trials in Mumbai Harbour due to engine malfunction. As a result, the boat collided with a passenger ferry, which capsized. 13 fatalities have been reported. Survivors rescued from the incident site are being shifted to nearby hospitals.
There has been no mention of the involvement of the Indian Navy Missile vessel in the Tragic incident.
Conclusion
Thus, from the fact check, it is evident that the viral claim suggesting an Indian Navy missile vessel collided with a civilian boat, is misleading. The incident involved a Navy speedboat losing control during engine trials & colliding with a passenger ferry in Mumbai Harbour. There is no evidence of missile vessel involvement. DFRAC Analysis: Misleading
