A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members overturned near shore off the coast of southern Vietnam on Saturday afternoon, according to authorities. The vessel capsized shortly after departing Hon May Rut Ngoai island near Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island. The incident resulted in 15 deaths, with ten of the deceased from Tamil Nadu state, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala.
The remains were being transported back to India by flight from Ho Chi Minh City, with arrival expected in Mumbai on Monday, according to the Indian Embassy. The Indian Embassy stated that 16 survivors had been released from hospitals and were returning to the country. The tourists were part of a company trip organized by Lava International, a smartphone and consumer electronics manufacturer based in Uttar Pradesh, for employees, distributors and retail partners.
According to survivor accounts, conditions deteriorated rapidly when a storm struck the area. Nirmal Kumar, a 44-year-old businessman who was aboard, described how a large wave struck the boat, causing panic among passengers. The vessel then rocked violently in rough seas before capsizing. Kumar stated that rescue teams arrived within five minutes and pulled survivors from the water. He expressed that the trauma from the incident remains significant, particularly given that one of his childhood friends was among those who died.
The boat’s captain, Nguyen Hong Hai, 57, is under investigation for alleged violations of waterway transport safety regulations, according to state media reports. One survivor, a 49-year-old man, remained in critical condition and was transferred to Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for specialized treatment. Medical staff reported that the patient sustained severe lung damage from near-drowning, along with shock, multiple injuries and bleeding in the brain, though blood pressure and blood oxygen levels showed improvement.
The capsizing occurred approximately 10 kilometers south of Phu Quoc, one of Vietnam’s most popular beach destinations known for white sandy beaches and clear waters. India represents one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing tourism markets.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI