Bodies of 15 Indian tourists killed in Vietnam boat accident arrive in India
The bodies of 15 Indian tourists who died in a speedboat accident off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island were flown to India on Monday, the Indian Embassy in Hanoi confirmed. The remains were transported via a Vietnam Airlines flight that departed from Ho Chi Minh City at approximately 6:00 p.m. local time.
The embassy stated that the governments of the victims' home states will coordinate with their families for the onward transfer of the bodies from Mumbai airport to their respective destinations. Ten of the victims were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala.
In a post on X, the Indian Embassy expressed gratitude: 'We are grateful for the many messages of condolences and prayers from our Vietnamese friends. Your prayers, efforts and presence gave us strength in this extreme hour of grief.' The mission also thanked Vietnamese authorities for their assistance.
The accident occurred on Friday when a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four local crew members capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai off Phu Quoc Island, killing 15 tourists. The remaining individuals were rescued. Of the survivors, 16 have returned to India, while one remains hospitalized in Phu Quoc.
According to the Indian Embassy, the hospitalized survivor underwent a medical procedure and has been transferred to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, where his family has joined him. Reports from the Associated Press indicate the 49-year-old man is in critical condition, with severe lung damage from near-drowning, shock, multiple injuries, and brain bleeding.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, is a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and coral reefs. The tourists were returning from an island excursion on Saturday when the boat capsized about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai island.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Vietnamese authorities have ordered an inquiry, and the speedboat operator was detained on Sunday, according to local news portal VN Express International.
