Hanoi: Fifteen Indian tourists were killed after the speedboat they were travelling in capsized off Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, the Indian Embassy in Hanoi said.
There were 36 people on board, including 32 Indian tourists and four local crew members, of which 21 were rescued.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, is a major tourist destination, known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs and island-hopping excursions. The tourists in this case were reportedly returning from an island trip.
The speedboat capsized about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai, an island in the An Thoi archipelago off the coast of Phu Quoc, Vietnamese news portal VN Express International reported.
The report said nearby tourist boats rushed to pull passengers from the water before the border guards, the navy, the coast guard and other forces joined the search-and-rescue operation.
It also quoted eyewitnesses saying some of the passengers were trapped inside the overturned boat, which made rescue difficult.
The bodies of all the deceased tourists have been recovered, according to local media reports.
Of the 15 victims, 10 were from Tamil Nadu, three were from Andhra Pradesh and two were from Kerala. Two of the deceased were women, according to a list shared by the Indian Embassy on X.
“A big wave hit us, 20 people came out of it, and the balance members got stuck,” Nirmal Kumar, a survivor, told PTI Videos.
“It’s a closed boat. Since we were on the front, we (Kumar and a friend) managed to survive. Others who were behind, got stuck. The boat authorities maintained proper safety measures,” he said.
Television footage aired by Vietnamese media showed rough seas and strong winds as rescue teams threw life buoys to people in the water, AP news agency reported. Jet skis were used to ferry survivors to the shore, where bystanders administered first aid to some of the victims, it said.
The exact cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained.
According to AP, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has ordered an investigation into the cause of the accident and directed authorities to hold those responsible accountable. He also asked officials to review waterway and maritime safety measures in the area of the accident and other similar locations, the news agency reported.
The Indian Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam are providing all possible assistance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X.
“Extremely saddened to learn about the tragic news of a boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam,” PM Modi said.
“My sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. My prayers for the early recovery of the injured survivors. Our Embassy and Consulate are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities,” he added.
Meanwhile the Congress urged the Centre to work in coordination with Vietnamese authorities to ensure that necessary assistance is extended to the affected families.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic boat capsizing near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, carrying Indian tourists.
“My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts are also with those who are still missing, and with their families enduring an agonising wait,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.
“I urge the Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs to work closely with the Vietnamese authorities to ensure that every possible effort is made in the ongoing rescue operations and that all necessary assistance is extended to the affected families,” the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha added.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the tragic boat-capsize incident near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island is deeply distressing.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and pray for strength and courage for those anxiously awaiting news of their missing family members.
“I urge the Ministry of External Affairs to closely monitor the situation, work in constant coordination with the Vietnamese authorities, and ensure that every possible effort is made in the rescue operations,” he said in a post on X.
Kharge said all necessary assistance and support must be extended to the affected Indian families during this difficult time.
