15 Indian Tourists Killed in Vietnam Boat Capsizing; Andhra Pradesh Victims Among Them

At least 15 Indian tourists lost their lives after a speedboat capsized off Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam on Saturday. Among the deceased are three tourists from Andhra Pradesh, according to officials. The boat, operated by Ocean Pearl Island Company, was carrying 36 people — 32 Indian tourists, three crew members, and an attendant — when it overturned near Hon May Rut Ngoai, An Thoi, while returning to An Thoi Port.

The victims from Andhra Pradesh have been identified as Nallapeta Adiseshaiah Ravi Teja, Mudium Sreedhar of Kadapa, and Gelli Jaya Lakshmi of Machilipatnam. District administrations have contacted their families and are providing assistance. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam confirmed that 10 of the deceased were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala. Twenty-one people, including 17 passengers and four crew members, were rescued and hospitalised. Two survivors remain in critical condition.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief and directed officials to coordinate with the Indian Embassy and Vietnamese authorities for relief and safe return of survivors. He instructed the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi to work closely with the embassy. Minister Nara Lokesh also sought details and directed officials to assist the affected families. YSR Congress Party president Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock and urged the central and state governments to provide full support.

Rescue operations have concluded, and an investigation is underway. Adverse weather, rough sea conditions, and possible mechanical failure are being examined as probable causes. The Indian Ambassador is coordinating consular assistance, with Priyanka serving as the nodal officer.