BREAKING: Two still missing and 13 dead after navy speedboat hits ferry off Mumbai

At least 13 lives have been claimed, and two individuals remain unaccounted for, following a devastating collision between an Indian Navy speedboat and a passenger ferry off Mumbai's coastline, officials have confirmed.

Among the deceased are three naval personnel, while over 100 passengers were successfully rescued, stated Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Harrowing footage circulating online depicts the speedboat maneuvering erratically before violently striking the ferry, which subsequently overturned.

The Indian Navy attributed the tragedy to an "engine malfunction" and announced a formal inquiry to ascertain the precise cause of the mishap, according to local reports.

The privately operated ferry had been en route to the Elephanta Caves, a famed tourist attraction, when the collision occurred at approximately 4:00 PM local time (11:30 GMT) on Wednesday. By Thursday midday, rescue efforts were still underway to locate the two missing passengers.

"A naval craft undergoing engine assessments lost control and collided with the ferry," the navy disclosed in a statement, expressing profound regret over the "heartbreaking loss" of life.

Eyewitness Gautam Gupta recounted to The Times of India that he initially mistook the speedboat's erratic movements for a display of stunts, capturing the scene on video moments before the catastrophic impact. Another survivor recalled swimming for 15 harrowing minutes before being rescued by a nearby vessel.

First responder Arif Bamane, among the earliest to arrive at the chaotic scene, described a cacophony of desperate cries emanating from all directions. The sheer scale of distress left many survivors in a state of shock, struggling to comprehend the calamity.

Passengers alleged that the ferry crew failed to provide any guidance in the wake of the collision, leaving individuals to fend for themselves amidst the turmoil.

A naval insider, speaking anonymously to the BBC, emphasized that maritime traffic in the harbor adheres to well-demarcated routes, ensuring ample space to prevent such collisions. The specifics of the incident, the source noted, would only emerge after the recovery and examination of the naval speedboat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences to the bereaved families, describing the incident as profoundly sorrowful. He announced financial aid of 200,000 rupees ($2,352; £1,869) for each bereaved family and 50,000 rupees for the injured.

This marks the second such maritime tragedy within a month; on November 22, two individuals went missing after a submarine collided with a fishing trawler near the coast of Goa.