15 dead, several missing after speedboat carrying Indians sinks in Vietnam
A video doing the rounds on social media purportedly shows the aftermath of the tourist boat accident near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island, in which several Indian tourists are feared dead.
What was meant to be a day of leisure on the scenic Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam turned into a terrifying disaster on Saturday morning when a tourist boat carrying holidaymakers, including several Indians, sank, killing fifteen, news agency AFP reported. The Indian Embassy said it is in touch with local authorities and is closely monitoring the situation.
"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 Indian Embassy in Vietnam posted on X.
The embassy has given following numbers to reach the first control room: 84 36 281 7930, 84 91 552 37 14 and 84 33 452 0414. The other one in Hanoi can be reached at: 84 91 308 9165.
Quick answers to key questions
Preliminary information suggests that strong winds and high waves may have caused the speedboat to overturn, despite no rain being present at the time.
The speedboat was carrying 36 people, including 32 Indian tourists and four crew members.
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam is in touch with local authorities, monitoring the situation, and providing assistance to affected families.
Reports indicate that two residents from Andhra Pradesh were killed in the boat capsize, with three others hospitalized.
Search and rescue operations were launched immediately, resulting in the recovery of all deceased passengers, while 21 individuals were rescued and treated for injuries.
The Andhra Pradesh government is gathering information on residents from the state affected by the tourist boat accident, news agency ANI reported.
Andhra Pradesh Minister for NRI Empowerment & Relations Kondapalli Srinivas said the government was closely tracking the situation from New Delhi and was working to verify the number of victims from the state.
"We are collecting data on how many people from Andhra Pradesh died in the boat accident in Vietnam. We are monitoring the situation from Delhi. Minister Nara Lokesh and the Andhra Pradesh government are closely monitoring the developments. As of now, we do not have the exact number of victims from Andhra Pradesh," Srinivas said.
According to PTI, citing sources in the Andhra Pradesh government, two people from the state were killed in the boat capsize, while three others were hospitalised.
A video doing the rounds on social media purportedly shows the aftermath of the tourist boat accident near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island, in which several Indian tourists are feared dead. The footage appears to show a capsized vessel floating in the sea while rescue teams surround it in speedboats. Mint could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
The visuals were shared by a local journalist, who wrote: “A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists sank near Hon May Rut Ngoai, Phu Quoc, at around 10:30 a.m. on July 11… 18 people had been rescued by early afternoon. Authorities say fatalities are feared, but the official death toll has not yet been confirmed. Search-and-rescue operations are still underway.”
Rescue teams were deployed shortly after the vessel overturned, and authorities continue to search for passengers who were on board.
Several tourist boats sailing nearby responded immediately after noticing the capsized vessel and assisted in the rescue operation.
Speaking to Vietnamese news website VnExpress International, one of the boat operators involved in the rescue said his vessel arrived at the scene within around five minutes. He said the operation was challenging because several passengers were trapped inside the overturned boat.
"Only a few people were brought out conscious," the boat operator was quoted as saying by VnExpress International.
According to the report, the sea off An Thoi was rough when the incident took place. While there was no rain, tourist boats were still operating in the area at the time of the accident.
About the Author
Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.
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