Boat carrying Indian tourists capsizes in Vietnam, 15 dead, rescue operation underway

New Delhi: A boat carrying Indian tourists capsized in the sea near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, on Saturday. Fifteen Indians died in the tragic accident, while 21 were rescued. The local administration launched a rescue operation immediately after the incident.

The Indian Embassy is currently monitoring the situation and is in constant contact with local authorities. Emergency response centers have also been set up in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist the affected families. According to a Reuters report, local authorities stated that a total of 36 people were on board the boat: 32 Indian tourists, 3 crew members, and 1 attendant. 15 Indian tourists died in the accident, while the remaining 21 were rescued.

Upon receiving news of the accident, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam confirmed the news by sharing a post on the social media platform X. The embassy tweeted, “In a very tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists capsized near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, a few hours ago. The exact details of the accident are being ascertained, and a search and rescue operation is currently underway by local authorities.”

According to local authorities, the boat was returning from Hon Me Rut Island to An Thoi Port when it capsized in the sea, about 400 meters from the coast. Initial information suggests that high waves caused the accident. However, the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island and has become increasingly popular with Indian tourists in recent years, leading to a large number of Indian tourists visiting the island for holidays. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the boat accident involving Indian tourists in Vietnam. He expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and expressed hope for a speedy recovery for the injured.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government is also monitoring the situation. The government has stated that information is being gathered about how many people from Andhra Pradesh were affected by the boat accident. At present, the exact number of deaths in the state has not been confirmed. A control room has been set up at the Indian Embassy in Ho Chi Minh City to provide assistance and information to the affected families. People can contact the following numbers:

In addition, a control room has been set up in Hanoi, with a helpline number of +84 91 308 9165. The Embassy has clearly stated that they are ready to assist with any inquiries or assistance. Currently, the Indian Embassy has stated that it is in constant contact with local authorities and is providing all possible assistance to the affected families. According to initial information, the sea was turbulent at the time of the incident, although an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the boat capsize.