A speedboat carrying Indian tourists capsized in heavy seas off the coast of Southern Vietnam on Saturday, resulting in 15 fatalities. According to local media reports, the vessel carried a total of 32 Indian citizens and four crew members. The incident occurred approximately 400 meters from the island of Hon May Rut Ngoai.
Several nearby excursion boats immediately rushed to the scene, discovering numerous passengers trapped in the wreckage. Rescue efforts successfully retrieved 21 people. Initial reports indicate that all victims who perished were Indian nationals.
Hon May Rut Ngoai is a popular tourist destination, located within the An Thoi Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand, about ten kilometers south of Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc.
A high-ranking local official stated that authorities are still working to confirm the precise casualty figures. Speaking to VnExpress, he suggested that strong winds and high waves may have caused the boat to capsize. He emphasized that the primary focus was the rescue, transporting all victims to land, and concentrating efforts on the medical care of survivors.
In response to the tragedy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep dismay over the incident. He issued a statement lamenting the tragic news of the boat accident involving Indian nationals in Vietnam. Modi conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
