Mumbai: The body of a seven-year-old boy, Zohan Pathan, has been found nearly 48 hours after he went missing following a collision between a naval ship and a passenger ferry off the Mumbai coast on December 18. This tragic incident has brought the death toll in the horrific accident to 15.

A search operation, launched by naval boats to locate the missing boy after a Navy craft collided with the ferry three days ago, continued on Saturday. Eventually, Zohan's body was recovered. The officers will share the details soon after handed over the body to his family.

On Friday, officials stated that the search and rescue operation was still underway and that the boy’s body had not yet been found. They confirmed the operation would continue for 72 hours.

15 Out Of 113 On Board Both Vessels Dead

Of the 113 persons on board both the vessels, 15 have died and 98, including two injured, were rescued.

There were six persons on board the Navy craft, of which two survived, the official said.

The tragedy struck when the speeding Navy craft undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with a passenger ferry, 'Neel Kamal', off the Mumbai coast.

The ferry, with more than 100 passengers, was on its way from the Gateway of India to the Elephanta Island, a popular tourist attraction which has a collection of ancient caves.

According to the documents issued by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), the boat had permission to carry 84 passengers and six crew members, but it was overloaded, a police official said.

The MMB, which is conducting an investigation into the accident, has cancelled the licence of the ferry as the vessel was overloaded, thus violating the Inland Vessel Act. The ferry had a capacity of 90 persons, an official said.

Case Filed Against Navy Craft Driver

A case has been registered against the Navy craft driver at the Colaba police station, the official said.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections invoked in the FIR included those related to causing death by negligence, actions that endanger the personal safety or life of others, rash or negligent navigation of a vessel and acts of mischief that cause wrongful loss or damage to individuals or the public.

The accident-affected craft is in the custody of the Navy, and police will demand it whenever needed for investigation, the official said.