15 Indians killed as tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam

15 Indians Tragically Lost in Vietnam Boat Accident

15 Indians killed as tourist boat - A speedboat carrying Indian tourists overturned near Hon May Rut Ngoai island, approximately 10 kilometers south of Phu Quoc, Vietnam, resulting in 15 fatalities. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, according to authorities and onlookers. A total of 21 individuals were saved.

Officials stated that the vessel had 32 Indian passengers and four crew members onboard when it capsized. All deceased were retrieved, while the injured were transported to medical facilities. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam confirmed that the victims included 13 males and two females, all holding Indian citizenship.

Company-Led Incentive Trip Turns Fatal

Lava Mobiles, a consumer electronics manufacturer, organized the trip for its sales representatives, distributors, and employees. The group was traveling to celebrate achievements, with channel partners and their families participating. The company noted that 14 of its partners and one staff member were among those who perished.

"We were in close communication with the Indian Embassy and local agencies to expedite the repatriation of the remains," Lava stated in a formal release.

State governments reported that 10 of the victims were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala. Officials from these regions emphasized coordination with the Indian Embassy for support and recovery efforts.

Survivor Accounts Detail Chaos

Ashish Kumar, an eyewitness, shared that the boat overturned quickly after departing the island. "Passengers cried for help as the vessel flipped, but by the time others arrived, the situation was dire," he recounted. He noted the lack of immediate medical aid on the shore for survivors.

Murugaraj, a Tamil Nadu survivor, described the event: "The boat had traveled roughly 2 km when a massive wave struck, causing it to tilt right. People were tossed around inside, and we scrambled out through the window, grabbing onto the railings," he explained. Rescue teams reached the site within minutes.

Rescue Operations Amid Harsh Conditions

According to VN Express, some passengers were stranded inside the capsized boat. Vietnamese media footage showed turbulent seas and strong winds as rescue teams deployed life buoys and used jet skis to transport survivors to land.

Phu Quoc, a top tourist spot in Vietnam, is situated in the Gulf of Thailand. The island’s proximity to Hon May Rut highlights the region’s popularity among international visitors. India has become one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing tourism markets, with 750,000 arrivals in 2025—a 50% increase from the prior year.

Government Responses and Political Statements

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Le Minh Hung directed an investigation and tasked authorities with reviewing maritime safety protocols. In a separate statement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, stating, "The Embassy and Consulate are offering full assistance and maintaining regular contact with Vietnamese officials." President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan also conveyed their condolences to affected families.

Tamil Nadu’s chief minister, C Joseph Vijay, and Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, instructed officials to collaborate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy for relief and repatriation. Naidu highlighted that 33 Andhra Pradesh residents were on the tour, with 19 aboard the boat at the time of the accident. Kerala’s office confirmed the deaths of A C Thomas, 57, and his wife Loveni Thomas, 56, both from Kottarakkara.