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15 Indian tourists killed as speedboat capsizes off Vietnam's Phu Quoc

A speedboat carrying Indian tourists capsized off Phu Quoc, leaving 15 dead. The tragedy triggered a major rescue effort and emergency support from Indian missions in Vietnam.

by · India Today

In Short

  • The boat carried 32 Indian tourists and four crew members
  • Nearby tourist boats began rescues before military and coast guard joined
  • Two rescued survivors remain critical as strong waves battered the area

Fifteen Indian tourists were killed after a speedboat capsized in Vietnam on Saturday, according to local media reports. The boat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members when it overturned about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai, an island in the An Thoi archipelago off the coast of Phu Quoc.

Local reports said 21 people were rescued after nearby tourist boats rushed to help, before border guards, the navy, the coast guard and other forces joined the search-and-rescue operation. Two of those rescued are in critical condition, while strong waves and winds were reported in the area.

VN Express International, quoting authorities in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, reported that the capsize took place near Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island and a major tourist destination known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs and island-hopping trips. Viet Nam News said all 15 people killed in the incident were tourists.

Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Hanoi posted about the incident on X and said control rooms had been set up at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City and at the embassy in Hanoi to provide information and assistance. The control room at the consulate can be reached at +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 37 14 and +84 33 452 0414, while the control room in Hanoi can be reached at +84 91 308 9165.

The Indian mission has not yet shared details about the deaths. The incident left 15 Indian tourists dead, 21 people rescued and two survivors in critical condition after the boat capsized off Phu Quoc amid strong wave and wind conditions.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends