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A speedboat carrying Indian tourists capsized near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island, leaving 15 dead. The disaster has triggered a Vietnamese probe as Indian officials assist survivors and bereaved families.
Hanoi,UPDATED: Jul 11, 2026 20:10 IST
Fifteen Indian tourists were killed after the speedboat they were travelling in capsized off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, the Indian Embassy in Hanoi said. There were 36 people on board, including 32 Indian tourists and four local crew members, and 21 people were rescued.
The tourists were reportedly returning from an island trip when the speedboat overturned about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai, an island in the An Thoi archipelago off the coast of Phu Quoc, according to Vietnamese news portal VN Express . The exact cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, is a major tourist destination known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs and island-hopping excursions. VN Express reported that nearby tourist boats rushed to pull passengers from the water before border guards, the navy, the coast guard and other forces joined the search-and-rescue operation. It also quoted eyewitnesses as saying that some passengers were trapped inside the overturned boat, making rescue difficult.
Local media reports said the bodies of all the deceased tourists have been recovered. Of the 15 victims, 10 were from Tamil Nadu, three were from Andhra Pradesh and two were from Kerala. Two of the deceased were women, according to a list shared by the Indian Embassy on X.
"A big wave hit us, 20 people came out of it, and the balance members got stuck," survivor Nirmal Kumar told PTI Videos. "It's a closed boat. Since we were on the front, we (Kumar and a friend) managed to survive. Others who were behind, got stuck. The boat authorities maintained proper safety measures," he said.
Television footage aired by Vietnamese media showed rough seas and strong winds as rescue teams threw life buoys to people in the water, AP reported. Jet skis were used to ferry survivors to the shore, where bystanders administered first aid to some of the victims, it said.
According to AP, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has ordered an investigation into the cause of the accident and directed authorities to hold those responsible accountable. He also asked officials to review waterway and maritime safety measures in the area of the accident and other similar locations, the news agency reported.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Indian Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam are providing all possible assistance. "Extremely saddened to learn about the tragic news of a boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam," PM Modi said in a post on X. "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," he added.
The accident off Phu Quoc left 15 Indian tourists dead and 21 people rescued, with rescue efforts involving multiple Vietnamese agencies and help from nearby boats. Indian authorities said they are in touch with Vietnamese officials as assistance continues for the survivors and the families of those killed.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jul 11, 2026 20:10 IST
