Tragic Conclusion to Mumbai Boat Accident: Last Missing Passenger Found
MUMBAI: Nearly three days after a deadly ferry accident off the coast of Mumbai, Body of Missing 7-Year-Old Zohan Pathan was recovered on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Zohan was the last of the missing passengers to be found, following the tragic collision between a Navy speedboat and a ferry that resulted in the loss of 14 lives, including several Navy personnel.
Body of Missing 7-Year-Old , who was last seen in his mother Sakina Pathan’s arms, was aboard the ill-fated ferry that capsized while en route from the Gateway of India to the Elephanta Caves. His mother drowned in the accident, and he was swept away, sparking a massive multi-agency search operation.
Authorities faced considerable challenges in locating Zohan’s body due to the full moon’s effect on sea currents, which intensified search efforts. The Navy and Coast Guard launched extensive operations, deploying nine vessels that worked tirelessly around the clock. Helicopters were initially used, and local fishermen, along with agencies like the Mumbai Port Trust, joined in the search.
The boat was reported to be overcrowded at the time of the accident. Zohan’s father, Ashraf Pathan, expressed concerns over the lack of safety measures onboard, stating, “We could see that the boat was overloaded. I was holding our ten-month-old baby, and my wife Sakina was holding Zohan. After the accident, I, along with others, could not find any life jackets.”
The Pathan family, residents of Mapusa in Goa, had come to Mumbai for work, which had turned into a brief vacation. The tragic accident has raised serious questions about the safety protocols on passenger ferries, as investigations continue.
This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
