A holiday trip turned into a tragedy after a tourist boat carrying Indian nationals overturned near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, leaving 15 Indian tourists dead while several others were rescued. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam has activated emergency assistance and is coordinating with local authorities as rescue efforts continue.
According to preliminary information, the vessel was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members when it capsized while travelling from Hon May Rut Island to An Thoi Port. Vietnamese authorities reportedly rescued 21 people, with two survivors said to be in critical condition and undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
The Indian Embassy confirmed that it is closely monitoring the situation and has established a dedicated control room to assist affected families and provide updates. Embassy officials said they remain in constant contact with Vietnamese authorities to facilitate rescue operations and support Indian citizens.
Officials said the accident occurred roughly 400 metres from the shoreline, where the vessel is believed to have overturned amid rough sea conditions. Rescue teams, including local emergency responders, continued search operations around the accident site as authorities worked to trace anyone still unaccounted for.
Visuals from the scene showed the capsized boat surrounded by rescue personnel and nearby vessels participating in the operation.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting thousands of international visitors every year. The latest accident has once again raised concerns about maritime safety in the country’s busy tourist waters.
The tragedy comes nearly a year after another major boating disaster in Vietnam, when a tourist vessel carrying dozens of passengers capsized in Ha Long Bay during severe weather, resulting in one of the country’s deadliest maritime accidents in recent years.
Q1. Where did the boat accident occur?
The accident took place near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island while the boat was travelling from Hon May Rut Island to An Thoi Port.
Q2. How many Indian tourists died in the accident?
According to initial reports, 15 Indian tourists lost their lives.
Q3. What has the Indian Embassy done?
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam has set up an emergency control room and is coordinating with local authorities to assist affected families.
Q4. What caused the boat to capsize?
Initial reports indicate the vessel encountered rough sea conditions. Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the accident.
