One person drowned when a boat carrying a marriage party capsized today in Arabian Sea off Naigaon in the district.
“Nearly 55 people were on-board the boat which was heading towards Panju island in Vasai from Naigaon Jetty. As soon as the boat started its journey, it capsized,” district Disaster Control Officer Nitin Naik said.
Rescue teams were rushed to the spot soon after receiving an alert, he said.
While Ramchandra Mhatre (50) was drowned, most of the people on-board managed to jump out and swam to safety, said Narsingh Bhosale, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vasai.
According to the Vasaigaon police, the boat ferrying the marriage party was over crowded with the guests wanting to reach the village at around 9.30am. As men and women, dressed in their best of clothes got into the boat and it began sailing, it lost balance and turned turtle. All the people in the boat fell into the water. Villagers and other guests waiting for the next boat trip jumped into the water and rescued 15 people, all from Umelman village in Vasai.
The rescued people are being treated at the civic hospital in Vasai (west). Doctors said that all those rescued are out of danger.
The island is located in the Vasai creek and is an ancient village. Locals use the boat to ferry them from the village to the city and back. They do not use any life jackets while being ferried.
Eleven persons who were trapped have been rescued and admitted to Cardinal Gracis Hospital in Vasai, he said, adding, it was ensured that no one was left on the boat.
The group was going to attend the wedding of the daughter of one Jayant Bhoir.
