Phu Quoc boat tragedy: 16 Indian survivors head home after 15 deaths

Hanoi,UPDATED: Jul 12, 2026 13:52 IST

Sixteen Indian tourists who survived a boat accident off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island that killed 15 people have been discharged from hospital and are travelling back to India, the Indian mission said on Sunday. One surviving tourist is still undergoing treatment in hospital.

The accident took place on Saturday when a speedboat carrying 36 people, including 32 Indian tourists and four local crew members, capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai off Phu Quoc Island. Twenty-one people were rescued, including 17 tourists and all four crew members.

"After obtaining medical treatment, 15 survivors of yesterday's tragic boat accident have been discharged from hospital and are travelling back to India," the Indian Embassy in Hanoi said in a post on X on Sunday.

"Of the two patients in critical care, one has been discharged and is travelling back to India. The other is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Phu Quoc," it said.

The embassy said teams from the mission and the consulate were in Phu Quoc to provide any assistance.

Of the 15 victims, 10 were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala, according to a list shared by the embassy. Two of those who died were women. The bodies of all the deceased tourists have been recovered.

Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island and a major tourist destination, is known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs and island-hopping excursions. In this case, the tourists were reportedly returning from an island visit.

The exact cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained. Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has ordered an investigation into the accident and directed authorities to hold those responsible accountable, local media reported.

The boat accident near Phu Quoc left 15 Indian tourists dead, while 16 survivors have now been discharged and are heading back to India, with one person continuing to receive treatment in hospital.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends