At least 15 Indian tourists died when a boat capsized off Vietnam’s southern island of Phu Quoc on Saturday, according to a report by VnExpress citing local authorities. Twenty-one people survived the accident. The vessel was carrying 36 people, including 32 Indian tourists, three crew members and one attendant.
Embassy Response and Rescue Efforts
India’s embassy in Vietnam said it was monitoring the incident and had established emergency response centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist affected families. “Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing,” the embassy said in a statement, describing the incident as “tragic.”
Details of the Accident
The boat was travelling from Hon May Rut Island to An Thoi Port when it overturned about 400 meters (440 yards) into the sea, according to authorities cited by VnExpress. VnExpress reported that sea conditions were rough, with large waves in the area at the time. Several tourist vessels in the area quickly came to the rescue, finding many passengers trapped inside the boat.
Phu Quoc: A Popular Destination
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, has become one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting many Indian visitors in recent years. Hon May Rut Ngoai, a tiny island in the An Thoi Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand, attracts many tourists for island-hopping boat tours. It is located about 10km (six miles) south of Phu Quoc.
Official Statements
Nguyen Tien Hai, a senior Communist official in the area, said the authorities were still working to confirm the exact number of those who died as well as the survivors. He is quoted by VnExpress as saying that the speedboat may have capsized due to heavy winds and high waves. “The top priority is rescue, bringing all victims ashore and focusing all efforts on providing emergency care to those who are still alive,” Hai said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “extremely saddened to learn about the tragic news of a boat accident involving Indian nationals” in Vietnam. “My sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. My prayers for the early recovery of the injured survivors,” he wrote in a post on X. The Indian embassy in Vietnam published the full list of the 32 Indian nationals who were on board the capsized boat and set up telephone hotlines to provide information and assistance to affected families.
