15 Indian tourists killed as speedboat capsizes off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island
The Indian Embassy said it is coordinating with local authorities after a boat carrying several Indian tourists capsized near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island, where search and rescue operations remain underway.
Fifteen Indian tourists were killed after a speedboat carrying 32 Indian passengers and four crew members capsized near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island, according to Vietnamese authorities.
According to authorities in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, the speedboat, operated by Ocean Pear Island Company, was ferrying tourists from Hon May Rut to An Thoi Port when it capsized around 1 pm, about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai, throwing everyone on board into the sea.
Nearby tourist boats rushed to the scene after spotting the overturned vessel. One of the boat operators involved in the rescue told VnExpress International that his vessel reached the site within about five minutes, but many passengers were trapped inside the capsized boat, making rescue efforts difficult.
INDIAN EMBASSY SETS UP CONTROL ROOM
The Indian Embassy said it was closely monitoring the situation and had established control rooms in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist affected families.
"In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago. Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing," the embassy said in a post on X.
The post further read, "In order to provide information and assistance to affected families, a Control Room at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City has been set up which can be reached at : +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 37 14 and +84 33 452 0414. A Control room has been established in Hanoi and can be reached at +84 91 308 9165. We are available for any assistance and queries."
"Only a few people were brought out conscious," the boat operator was quoted as saying by VnExpress International.
INDIAN TOURISTS IDENTIFIED
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam later released the names of the 32 Indian tourists who were on board the speedboat that capsized near Phu Quoc Island.
In a post on X, the embassy said the list had been compiled based on information received from official sources and added that it was verifying further details regarding the casualties.
"As per information received from official sources, the following 32 Indian tourists were onboard the boat which capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago. We are ascertaining further details of casualties and would update soon," the embassy said.
The embassy shared the names of all 32 Indian passengers and said it would provide further updates as more information became available.
PM MODI EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the speedboat accident near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island involving Indian nationals and conveyed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
In a post on X, Modi said he was "extremely saddened" by the tragedy and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. He added that the Indian Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam were extending all possible assistance and remained in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities.
Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh also took cognisance of the speedboat accident near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island and directed officials to extend all possible assistance to those affected.
Lokesh spoke to senior officials at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi and state government officials to review the situation after reports suggested that tourists from Andhra Pradesh may have been among those involved in the accident.
Officials informed the minister that they were in constant touch with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam to ascertain the details of the incident and the status of the passengers.
Lokesh directed officials to coordinate with the Centre and ensure that all possible assistance is provided to the affected tourists and their families.
VICTIMS IDENTIFIED
Authorities have begun identifying the Indian tourists who died in the accident. Among the victims were A.C. Thomas (57) and his wife, Loveni Thomas (56), residents of Kottarakkara in Kerala's Kollam district.
Earlier, officials identified Ravi Teja (41), a resident of Housing Board Colony in Hindupuram, Andhra Pradesh, among those killed. Another victim, Sridhar, a mobile phone shop owner from Kadapa, also died in the accident. Officials said another tourist from Anantapuram district survived and is reported to be safe.
SEA CONDITIONS WERE ROUGH
The report added that sea conditions off An Thoi were rough at the time of the incident. Although there was no rainfall, tourist boats were continuing to operate in the area when the accident occurred.
A representative of Ocean Pear Island Company said the vessel was operating an island-hopping tour when the accident occurred. The captain, in his 50s, had several years of experience operating passenger boats.
The boat was travelling to May Rut Islet, a popular tourist destination off Phu Quoc comprising May Rut Trong and May Rut Ngoai. Located around 10-12 kilometres south of An Thoi, the islets are known for their clear waters, white-sand beaches and coral reefs, attracting visitors for activities such as snorkelling and diving. The destination is typically reached by boat or speedboat from An Thoi in about 20 to 40 minutes.
SEARCH OPERATION ENDS, PROBE UNDERWAY
According to Dr Arja Srikanth, Special Commissioner and Special Representative for the Andhra Pradesh Government at AP Bhavan in New Delhi, Vietnamese authorities have confirmed that 15 Indian tourists — 13 men and two women — died in the accident, while 21 people, including 17 passengers and four crew members, were rescued.
Two survivors remain in critical condition and are undergoing intensive medical treatment, he said.
Dr Srikanth added that the search and rescue operation has concluded and Vietnamese authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the accident. Adverse weather conditions, rough sea conditions and a possible mechanical malfunction are among the factors being examined.
He said the Government of India, through the Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, continues to coordinate closely with Vietnamese authorities and is monitoring the situation.
A YEAR AFTER ANOTHER BOATING TRAGEDY
The latest accident comes nearly a year after another major boating tragedy in Vietnam.
In July 2025, a tourist boat carrying 48 people, including at least 20 children, capsized in Ha Long Bay during a sudden storm, killing at least 35 passengers. The boat turned upside down because of strong winds.
The tragedy renewed concerns over maritime safety and emergency preparedness at Vietnam's popular tourist destinations.
Fifteen Indian tourists were killed after a speedboat carrying 32 Indian passengers and four crew members capsized near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island, according to Vietnamese authorities.
According to authorities in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, the speedboat, operated by Ocean Pear Island Company, was ferrying tourists from Hon May Rut to An Thoi Port when it capsized around 1 pm, about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai, throwing everyone on board into the sea.
Nearby tourist boats rushed to the scene after spotting the overturned vessel. One of the boat operators involved in the rescue told VnExpress International that his vessel reached the site within about five minutes, but many passengers were trapped inside the capsized boat, making rescue efforts difficult.
INDIAN EMBASSY SETS UP CONTROL ROOM
The Indian Embassy said it was closely monitoring the situation and had established control rooms in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist affected families.
"In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago. Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing," the embassy said in a post on X.
The post further read, "In order to provide information and assistance to affected families, a Control Room at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City has been set up which can be reached at : +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 37 14 and +84 33 452 0414. A Control room has been established in Hanoi and can be reached at +84 91 308 9165. We are available for any assistance and queries."
"Only a few people were brought out conscious," the boat operator was quoted as saying by VnExpress International.
INDIAN TOURISTS IDENTIFIED
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam later released the names of the 32 Indian tourists who were on board the speedboat that capsized near Phu Quoc Island.
In a post on X, the embassy said the list had been compiled based on information received from official sources and added that it was verifying further details regarding the casualties.
"As per information received from official sources, the following 32 Indian tourists were onboard the boat which capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago. We are ascertaining further details of casualties and would update soon," the embassy said.
The embassy shared the names of all 32 Indian passengers and said it would provide further updates as more information became available.
PM MODI EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the speedboat accident near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island involving Indian nationals and conveyed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
In a post on X, Modi said he was "extremely saddened" by the tragedy and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. He added that the Indian Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam were extending all possible assistance and remained in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities.
Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh also took cognisance of the speedboat accident near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island and directed officials to extend all possible assistance to those affected.
Lokesh spoke to senior officials at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi and state government officials to review the situation after reports suggested that tourists from Andhra Pradesh may have been among those involved in the accident.
Officials informed the minister that they were in constant touch with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam to ascertain the details of the incident and the status of the passengers.
Lokesh directed officials to coordinate with the Centre and ensure that all possible assistance is provided to the affected tourists and their families.
VICTIMS IDENTIFIED
Authorities have begun identifying the Indian tourists who died in the accident. Among the victims were A.C. Thomas (57) and his wife, Loveni Thomas (56), residents of Kottarakkara in Kerala's Kollam district.
Earlier, officials identified Ravi Teja (41), a resident of Housing Board Colony in Hindupuram, Andhra Pradesh, among those killed. Another victim, Sridhar, a mobile phone shop owner from Kadapa, also died in the accident. Officials said another tourist from Anantapuram district survived and is reported to be safe.
SEA CONDITIONS WERE ROUGH
The report added that sea conditions off An Thoi were rough at the time of the incident. Although there was no rainfall, tourist boats were continuing to operate in the area when the accident occurred.
A representative of Ocean Pear Island Company said the vessel was operating an island-hopping tour when the accident occurred. The captain, in his 50s, had several years of experience operating passenger boats.
The boat was travelling to May Rut Islet, a popular tourist destination off Phu Quoc comprising May Rut Trong and May Rut Ngoai. Located around 10-12 kilometres south of An Thoi, the islets are known for their clear waters, white-sand beaches and coral reefs, attracting visitors for activities such as snorkelling and diving. The destination is typically reached by boat or speedboat from An Thoi in about 20 to 40 minutes.
SEARCH OPERATION ENDS, PROBE UNDERWAY
According to Dr Arja Srikanth, Special Commissioner and Special Representative for the Andhra Pradesh Government at AP Bhavan in New Delhi, Vietnamese authorities have confirmed that 15 Indian tourists — 13 men and two women — died in the accident, while 21 people, including 17 passengers and four crew members, were rescued.
Two survivors remain in critical condition and are undergoing intensive medical treatment, he said.
Dr Srikanth added that the search and rescue operation has concluded and Vietnamese authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the accident. Adverse weather conditions, rough sea conditions and a possible mechanical malfunction are among the factors being examined.
He said the Government of India, through the Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, continues to coordinate closely with Vietnamese authorities and is monitoring the situation.
A YEAR AFTER ANOTHER BOATING TRAGEDY
The latest accident comes nearly a year after another major boating tragedy in Vietnam.
In July 2025, a tourist boat carrying 48 people, including at least 20 children, capsized in Ha Long Bay during a sudden storm, killing at least 35 passengers. The boat turned upside down because of strong winds.
The tragedy renewed concerns over maritime safety and emergency preparedness at Vietnam's popular tourist destinations.
