Fifteen people lost their lives after a speedboat, carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members, capsized off the coast of Hon May Rut Ngoai, a tiny island in the An Thoi Archipelago. The vessel overturned about 400 metres from the shore amid rough sea conditions on Saturday.
Rescue vessels in the area were quick to respond. They found several passengers trapped inside the overturned boat, though modern lifesaving equipment helped 21 people survive and be transported to medical facilities.
Hon May Rut Ngoai lies roughly 10 km south of Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island. Nguyen Tien Hai, a senior Communist official in the region, said authorities were still confirming the exact death toll and reviewing surviving casualties, attributing the capsizing to heavy winds and high waves.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy involving Indian nationals. He conveyed sincere condolences to the victims’ families and prayed for the quick recovery of injured survivors, posting a brief message on X.
The Indian embassy in Vietnam described the incident as “tragic”, publishing the full list of the 32 Indian nationals aboard the capsized boat. It also set up telephone hotlines to provide information and assistance to affected families.
