Tragic Boat Accident in Vietnam Claims Lives of 15 Indian Tourists
Repatriation of Victims
A screengrab showing the aftermath of speedboat tragedy at the coast of Phu Quoc, Vietnam(Source: @ViralDecoder/X)
Hanoi, July 13: The remains of the 15 Indian nationals who tragically lost their lives in a boat accident on Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, are set to be flown back to India from Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, as confirmed by the Indian Embassy in Vietnam.
Among the deceased are 10 tourists hailing from Tamil Nadu, who were aboard a tourist boat that capsized on Saturday, turning a celebratory trip into a heartbreaking disaster.
The flight, Vietnam Airlines VN979, is scheduled to depart Ho Chi Minh City at 6:00 p.m. local time and is expected to arrive at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) at 9:35 p.m. Indian time.
In a statement shared on X, the Indian Embassy noted, "The remains of the 15 Indian nationals who tragically lost their lives in the boat accident on July 11 will be repatriated today via Vietnam Airlines flight VN979. The flight is set to leave Ho Chi Minh City at 1800 hrs local time and reach Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai at 2135 hrs IST."
"State governments have been notified and are coordinating with the affected families for the onward journey of the remains to their final destinations. The Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City extend their prayers to the families of the deceased and are available for any assistance," the statement added.
Investigation Underway
In related developments, Vietnamese authorities in An Giang province have detained a local man and initiated criminal proceedings concerning alleged violations related to the capsized tourist boat.
The individual, identified as 57-year-old captain Nguyen Hong Hai, resides in Thuan Tien hamlet, An Giang province, and was temporarily living in the Phu Quoc special zone.
Initial reports indicate that the boat was carrying approximately 32 Indian tourists, with 17 from Tamil Nadu and others from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala.
The vessel reportedly overturned while navigating the waters south of Phu Quoc, a well-known tourist hotspot in southern Vietnam.
Following the incident, rescue teams, local residents, and emergency services quickly mobilized to the scene, launching a comprehensive rescue operation.
Several passengers were rescued from the water, and CPR was administered to those found unconscious in efforts to save their lives.
Despite the rapid emergency response, authorities confirmed that 15 individuals lost their lives in the tragedy, while survivors received medical care.
The precise cause of the accident remains under investigation and has not yet been officially revealed.