Guwahati: At least 15 Indian tourists were killed and 21 others rescued after a speedboat carrying visitors capsized off Vietnam’s southern Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, triggering a large-scale rescue operation by Vietnamese authorities.
According to officials, the speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members while returning from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island to An Thoi Port when it overturned about 400 metres from the shore near Phu Quoc, one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations.
Initial rescue efforts were carried out by nearby tourist boats before border guards, the navy, coast guard and other emergency agencies reached the scene. Rescue teams managed to save 21 people, while the bodies of 15 victims were recovered from the accident site. Several passengers were reportedly trapped inside the overturned vessel, complicating the operation.
The tourists were reported to be part of an annual outing organised by a private Indian company. Those injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. He also said officials from the Indian Embassy in Vietnam were at the site and providing all possible assistance to the affected passengers and their families.
Vietnamese authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Officials have not yet confirmed what led to the speedboat capsizing.