HANOI / NEW DELHI: A serene island holiday turned into a horrific nightmare in southern Vietnam on Saturday when a high-speed tourist boat flipped over, killing at least 15 Indian nationals.
According to local maritime authorities and news agency AP, the speedboat was carrying a total of 32 Indian tourists and 4 crew members when the disaster struck about 400 meters (1,310 feet) off the coast of Hon May Rut Ngoai Island—a heavily frequented tourist hotspot just south of Phu Quoc Island.
Trapped in Rough Seas
The boat was reportedly making its way back from an excursion at Hon May Rut Island to An Thoi Port when it encountered severe, turbulent waves. Eyewitnesses stated that the vessel capsized rapidly, sending shockwaves through the area. While nearby civilian boats immediately rushed to help pull drowning passengers from the water, a massive joint operation was soon launched by the An Thoi Border Guard, the Vietnamese Navy, and the Coast Guard.
First responders noted that the rescue operation was exceptionally brutal due to the combination of high waves and the fact that several passengers became tightly trapped inside the overturned cabin of the speedboat. Emergency teams managed to rescue 21 individuals, many of whom were rushed to nearby hospitals with varying injuries. Sadly, all 15 remaining victims—comprising 13 men and 2 women—were recovered unresponsive.
Indian Embassy Establishes Emergency Control Rooms
Confirming the devastating accident, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam issued an official statement noting that they are closely collaborating with local Vietnamese authorities to ascertain further details and assist the victims’ families.
”In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago,” the Embassy shared on social platform X.
To provide round-the-clock coordination, emergency control rooms have been opened in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Families seeking information regarding their loved ones can reach the Indian authorities via the following hotlines:
Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Control Room: +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 3714, +84 33 452 0414
Hanoi Embassy Control Room: +84 91 308 9165
Phu Quoc, located in the pristine waters of the Gulf of Thailand, is Vietnam’s largest island and has experienced a massive boom in international visitors—particularly from India—in recent years. Local police have launched a formal forensic and safety investigation to determine the exact technical or environmental cause behind the tragic capsizing.
