Vietnam boat tragedy: 15 Indian tourists dead, rescue operations conclude
At least 15 Indian tourists were killed and 21 rescued after a boat carrying 32 Indian visitors and four crew members capsized off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, local authorities confirmed. The incident occurred approximately 400 metres from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, near Phu Quoc, according to officials cited by VnExpress and reported by the Associated Press.
The boat was travelling from Hon May Rut Island to An Thoi Port when it overturned in rough sea conditions, with large waves reported in the area. Eyewitnesses told VnExpress that nearby boats rushed to assist, pulling passengers from the water before border guards, the navy, coast guard and other rescue agencies arrived. Authorities noted that the rescue operation was challenging because many passengers were trapped inside the vessel. All bodies have been recovered, and the 21 survivors have been brought to shore.
Among the deceased are many employees and distributors of Lava Mobiles, a company representative told The Indian Express. Several victims are believed to be residents of Andhra Pradesh. The final toll is yet to be officially confirmed, but local authorities have stated that all dead bodies have been recovered.
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam confirmed the incident in a post on X, describing it as a 'tragic incident.' It said search and rescue operations by local authorities were underway and that the exact details of the accident were still being ascertained. To assist affected families, the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City has set up a control room. It can be reached at +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 37 14 and +84 33 452 0414. A separate control room has also been established in Hanoi and can be contacted at +84 91 308 9165.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, is a popular tourist destination. The boat capsizing is one of the deadliest incidents involving Indian tourists abroad in recent years. Investigations into the exact cause of the accident are ongoing, with local authorities probing the circumstances. The Indian government has assured full cooperation and support to the affected families.
