A speedboat carrying Indian tourists capsized off the coast of southern Vietnam, resulting in 15 deaths. The vessel was transporting 32 Indian passengers and four Vietnamese crew members when it overturned near Hon May Rut Ngoai island, located close to Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island.
The boat’s captain, identified as Nguyen Hong Hai, 57, is under investigation for alleged breaches of waterway transport safety regulations, according to state media reports. The group of tourists was participating in a corporate trip organized by Lava International, a smartphone and consumer electronics manufacturer headquartered in Uttar Pradesh. The deceased individuals came from multiple Indian states, with ten from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala.
According to survivor accounts, the incident occurred when a severe storm struck the area. Nirmal Kumar, a 44-year-old businessman aboard the vessel, described how a large wave struck the boat, causing it to rock violently in rough waters before capsizing. He reported that passengers panicked and began jumping into the water as the vessel became increasingly unstable. Rescue teams arrived within five minutes and extracted survivors from the water.
The remains were transported to Mumbai on a flight departing from Ho Chi Minh City. Sixteen survivors were previously released from hospitals and returned to India. One additional survivor remained hospitalized in critical condition at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, being treated for severe lung damage, shock, multiple injuries, and bleeding in the brain. Medical personnel reported that the patient’s vital signs showed improvement.
The incident occurred approximately 10 kilometers south of Phu Quoc, a major tourist destination known for its beaches. India represents one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing tourism markets, with millions of visitors traveling to the region annually.
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