At least fifteen Indian tourists have died after a passenger speedboat capsized off the coast of southern Vietnam on Saturday afternoon.
Local authorities confirmed the vessel was carrying thirty-two Indian holidaymakers and four crew members when the incident occurred.
The boat overturned approximately 400 metres from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, a popular tourist spot near Vietnam’s largest island of Phu Quoc.
Witnesses reported that nearby civilian boats rushed to the scene immediately to rescue passengers before military border guards, the navy, and coast guard services arrived.
Initial rescue operations faced severe difficulties due to rough waves in the area. Many passengers became trapped inside the cabin of the overturned vessel.
Emergency responders managed to pull twenty-one survivors from the water. All fifteen bodies of the deceased have now been recovered.
Medical teams transported the injured survivors to nearby hospitals on Phu Quoc for urgent medical care.
The Indian Embassy in Hanoi has expressed deep sadness over the tragic event. Diplomatic control rooms have been set up in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to assist families.
Phu Quoc is located in the Gulf of Thailand and represents one of the premier beach holiday destinations in Vietnam.
Hon May Rut Ngoai Island is situated around ten kilometres south of Phu Quoc. It is famous for pristine beaches and attracts millions of domestic and international visitors every year.
Local police and maritime authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the fatal capsizing.
