Agencies | Hanoi:
At least 15 Indian tourists were killed after a tourist boat carrying Indian nationals capsized near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, officials said. Search and rescue operations are continuing as authorities work to trace those still missing.
According to Vietnamese state media, the victims include 13 men and two women. Twenty-one people were rescued and shifted to hospitals, with two reported to be in critical condition.
The accident occurred at around 1 pm local time (11:30 am IST). The vessel was carrying 36 people, including 32 Indian tourists, three crew members and one attendant, when it reportedly overturned in rough seas and strong winds shortly after departing Hon May Rut Ngoai Island for An Thoi Port. All passengers and crew members were thrown into the water.
The Embassy of India in Vietnam said it was closely monitoring the situation and that the exact details of the incident were still being ascertained.
“In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing,” the embassy said in a post on X.
The Indian Ambassador, accompanied by embassy officials, is travelling to Phu Quoc Island to oversee consular assistance, coordinate with Vietnamese authorities and support the affected Indian nationals and their families.
Lava International said some of its employees and channel partners were among those on board the vessel.
“We are in constant touch with the Embassy of India in Vietnam and the local authorities to gather information about the safety and well-being of our people. Our immediate priority is to extend all possible support to those affected and their families. Our teams in both India and Vietnam are in regular contact with the families and are providing all possible assistance,” the company said in a statement.
Sources said a group of 110 Lava distributors and employees from South India was on a tour to Vietnam, with some members believed to have been aboard the ill-fated boat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
“Extremely saddened to learn about the tragic news of a boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam. My sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. My prayers for the early recovery of the injured survivors. Our Embassy and Consulate are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also condoled the loss of lives and urged the Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs to work closely with Vietnamese authorities to ensure all possible efforts were made in the ongoing rescue operations and that comprehensive assistance was provided to the affected families.
“My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts are also with those who are still missing, and with their families enduring an agonising wait,” Gandhi said.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Human Resources Development Nara Lokesh sought details from state officials and AP Bhavan in New Delhi following reports that tourists from Andhra Pradesh might be among those affected.
He directed officials to coordinate with the Central Government and ensure all possible assistance was extended to the victims and their families.
To facilitate assistance, the Indian mission has established dedicated control rooms at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City and the Embassy of India in Hanoi. The mission said both control rooms would remain operational to assist affected families and respond to queries related to the incident.
