At least 15 Indian tourists lost their lives 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 report stated.
Details of the Incident
The vessel was carrying 36 people, including 32 Indian tourists, three crew members, and one attendant. It was traveling 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. Sea conditions were rough, with large waves in the area at the time.
Official Response
India's embassy in Vietnam confirmed the tragedy, posting on social media: "It is with profound grief that we share the list of 15 Indian nationals who have lost their lives in the tragic boat accident near Phuc Quoc Island today. The list has been received from the Vietnamese authorities. Our prayers are with the families of the deceased." The embassy also said it was monitoring the incident and had established emergency response centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist affected families.
Search and Rescue Operations
"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." The embassy also released a list of the 32 Indian tourists who were onboard, stating they were ascertaining further details of casualties.
Tourism Context
Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, has become one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, attracting many Indian visitors in recent years. The incident has raised concerns about safety standards for tourist boats in the region.
