NEW DELHI / HANOI: A wave of shock and mourning has hit the nation after a horrific speedboat accident near Vietnam’s popular Phu Quoc Island claimed the lives of 15 Indian tourists on Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the tragedy, stating that the government is actively mobilizing assets to offer “all possible assistance” to the affected families and survivors.
The Incident
According to local Vietnamese maritime authorities and state media, the tourist speedboat was carrying a total of 36 people—including 32 Indian tourists, three crew members, and one attendant. The vessel capsized approximately 400 meters away from the shore while transferring passengers from Hon May Rut Island back to An Thoi Port.
Initial reports from VnExpress indicate that the region was experiencing unexpectedly rough sea conditions and choppy waters at the time, which likely caused the vessel to overturn.
Rescue operations swung into action immediately. Of the 36 people on board, 21 individuals have been successfully rescued, though several remain hospitalized, including at least two in critical condition. The 15 deceased individuals reportedly include 13 men and 2 women.
PM Modi Expresses Deep Condolences
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound heartbreak regarding the sudden loss of Indian lives abroad.
”Extremely saddened to learn about the tragic news of a boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam. My sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. My prayers for the early recovery of the injured survivors. Our Embassy and Consulate are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities.” — PM Narendra Modi
Diplomatic Interventions and Ground Support
The Indian Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City have immediately established emergency response teams and control rooms. Diplomatic officials are physically coordinating with Vietnamese emergency services, medical teams, and local administration to facilitate the treatment of the injured and the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased back to India.
State governments in India are also monitoring the situation closely. Official sources from Andhra Pradesh confirmed that at least three tourists hailing from the state have been admitted to local Vietnamese hospitals and are receiving continuous care.
Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island and has recently seen an exponential surge in Indian holidaymakers. This tragic incident has sparked conversations regarding tighter safety protocols for maritime tourist transport in the region.
