A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members capsized near the coast of southern Vietnam on Saturday afternoon, resulting in 15 deaths. The incident occurred shortly after the vessel departed from Hon May Rut Ngoai island, located near Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island. The remains of the deceased tourists were flown from Ho Chi Minh City to Mumbai on Monday, according to the Indian Embassy.
According to survivor accounts, the disaster unfolded rapidly when severe weather conditions affected the area. One survivor, businessman Nirmal Kumar, described how a large wave struck the boat, creating panic among passengers. The vessel then rocked violently in rough waters before capsizing completely. Kumar stated that passengers moved frantically across the boat before many jumped into the water in an attempt to save themselves. Rescue teams arrived within approximately five minutes and extracted survivors from the water.
The deceased tourists were distributed across three Indian states: ten from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala. The group was traveling as part of a company trip organized by Lava International, a consumer electronics manufacturer based in Uttar Pradesh, for employees, distributors, and retail partners. Sixteen survivors were previously released from hospital care and are returning to India.
Vietnam’s authorities initiated an investigation into the incident, focusing on the speedboat’s captain, Nguyen Hong Hai, 57, for alleged violations of waterway transport safety regulations, according to state media reports. One survivor remained in critical condition as of Monday and was transferred to Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Medical staff reported that the patient sustained severe lung damage from near-drowning along with additional injuries and complications.
Phu Quoc and the surrounding area are established tourist destinations known for white sandy beaches and clear waters, attracting millions of visitors annually. India represents one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing tourism markets.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI