Fifteen Indian tourists have died after their speedboat capsized near the southern coast of Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island on Saturday. Authorities confirmed the tragic incident, stating that the vessel was carrying 32 Indian tourists and 4 crew members when it overturned. Rescue teams successfully recovered 21 survivors, many of whom have been transported to local hospitals for medical treatment. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation by maritime authorities.
Local media reports indicate that the speedboat had departed from the popular Hon May Rut Ngoai island shortly after noon on Saturday. It was traveling back to the An Thoi International Port when the vessel overturned approximately 400 metres from the tourist location. Photographs shared on social media platforms depicted the harrowing moments as rescuers pulled passengers from the water. Witnesses reported that nearby vessels rushed to the scene immediately to assist in extracting passengers from the water before the Vietnamese border guards, navy, and coastguard arrived to lead the official rescue operation.
Reports from the scene suggested that the rescue effort was particularly difficult as many victims were trapped inside the capsized vessel. In an official statement, the Indian embassy in Hanoi confirmed that they are coordinating closely with Vietnamese authorities. The embassy has established control rooms in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to provide assistance and maintain communication with the families of the victims. Embassy officials stated that they are working to ascertain the precise details of the incident while ensuring those injured receive proper care.
This incident follows a major maritime disaster last July, when a tourist boat named Wonder Sea capsized in Ha Long Bay during a thunderstorm. That accident resulted in 39 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest sea incidents in Vietnam in recent years. The current tragedy has renewed concerns regarding safety protocols for tourist transport in the region. Phu Quoc, situated in the Gulf of Thailand, is widely recognized as one of Vietnam’s premier beach destinations, drawing millions of visitors annually for its white sands and clear waters.
Hon May Rut Island, located roughly 10km south of Phu Quoc, is a significant draw for international tourists, including a large number of visitors from India. Following the accident, local administrative authorities have signaled that safety inspections at tourist ports will be intensified. The focus of the mission remains the care of the survivors and the ongoing coordination with national authorities to investigate the structural or environmental factors that may have led to the capsize.
