A sightseeing trip across the turquoise waters of Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island ended in tragedy on Saturday afternoon when a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists capsized in rough seas. The accident claimed at least 15 lives, while the remaining passengers were rescued after being trapped inside the overturned vessel for several hours.
The speedboat overturned approximately 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai while transporting tourists from May Rut Islet to An Thoi Port on Phu Quoc Island, according to Vietnamese news outlet VNExpress.
Made up of May Rut Trong and May Rut Ngoai, May Rut Islet is one of Vietnam's most popular island-hopping destinations. Situated around 10-12 kilometres south of An Thoi, the island is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and colourful coral reefs, making it a favourite among visitors for snorkelling, diving, and day cruises.
The journey, which typically lasts between 20 and 40 minutes by boat or speedboat, was interrupted when the vessel encountered rough seas and capsized at around 1 pm local time.
Rough Seas Delayed Rescue Operations
Rescue efforts were initially hampered by high tides, leaving several passengers trapped inside the overturned boat. According to local eyewitnesses, the rough sea conditions made it difficult for rescuers to reach those inside until emergency teams arrived.
Despite the challenging conditions, nearby boats immediately rushed to the scene and began rescuing passengers from the water. The operation gained momentum after Vietnam's Border Guards deployed two rescue vessels along with 35 officers and soldiers.
Within a few hours, all 32 tourists were accounted for. Authorities confirmed that at least 15 people had died, while the remaining passengers survived the accident.
The company operating the speedboat stated that the driver, who was in his mid-50s, had extensive experience operating the route. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Indian Embassy Establishes Control Rooms
Following the incident, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam announced that it was working closely with local authorities and had set up dedicated control rooms in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist the families of those affected.
In a post on X, the Embassy said, "In order to provide information and assistance to affected families, a Control Room at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City has been set up... A Control Room has also been established in Hanoi... We are available for any assistance and queries."
The Embassy also released the names of the 32 Indian tourists who were travelling on the ill-fated speedboat and said it was coordinating with Vietnamese authorities to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the accident while search and rescue operations continued.
Prime Minister Modi Expresses Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and assured that the Indian mission in Vietnam was providing every possible assistance to those affected.
In a post on X, he said he was "extremely saddened" by the incident, extended condolences to the families of the victims, and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.
He also stated that the Indian Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam were in constant touch with local authorities as rescue and relief efforts continued following the accident involving 32 Indian tourists and four crew members.
South Indian States Respond to the Tragedy
The accident sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, prompting the governments of all three states to coordinate with Vietnamese authorities, assist survivors, and support the families of the victims.
Tamil Nadu suffered the highest number of casualties, with 10 of the 15 deceased belonging to the state.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay expressed his condolences and directed officials to coordinate with Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Embassy in Vietnam to extend assistance to the affected families.
Among those who lost their lives from Tamil Nadu were 44-year-old Murugaprabhu from Dindigul and 47-year-old Alaguraj from Kirapatti.
Three tourists from Andhra Pradesh also died in the accident. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that 19 tourists from the state were travelling on the speedboat and instructed officials to work with the relevant authorities, support the affected families, and facilitate the return of the survivors.
The victims from Andhra Pradesh included 41-year-old Ravi Teja from Hindupuram and Sridhar, a mobile phone shop owner from Kadapa.
In Kerala, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan directed the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) department to coordinate with the Vietnam Embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs after two residents of the state were confirmed dead.
The deceased from Kerala were identified as A.C. Thomas (57) and his wife, Loveni Thomas (56), who were residents of Kottarakkara in Kollam district.
