At least 15 Indian tourists lost their lives after a tourist speedboat overturned near Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam, while several others were rescued. Search and rescue operations were launched immediately following the accident.
The speedboat, identified as AG 26751 and operated by Ocean Pearl Island Company (Minh Huy Phu Quoc Trading and Tourism Co. Ltd.), was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members from Hon May Rut Island to An Thoi Port. The vessel capsized approximately 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai, throwing everyone on board into the sea.
According to Vietnamese authorities, 15 Indian tourists (13 men and 2 women) died in the incident. Twenty-one people, including 17 passengers and all four crew members, were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals. Two survivors remain in critical condition and are receiving intensive medical treatment.
The Embassy of India in Hanoi confirmed that emergency control rooms have been established in both Hanoi and the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City to assist affected families and coordinate with local authorities. The Indian mission stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and providing all possible support.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, saying he was “extremely saddened” by the boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc. He added that the Indian Embassy and Consulate are working closely with Vietnamese officials to extend every possible assistance.
Officials from AP Bhavan in New Delhi said Vietnamese authorities have accounted for everyone who was on board the boat. Preliminary reports indicate that seven tourists from the Telugu-speaking states were among the passengers. Their identities and status are being verified through official channels.
Based on the latest available information, Gelli Jayalakshmi from Machilipatnam, Mudium Sreedhar (49) from Kadapa, and Thomas Avicot Cheriyan from Tamil Nadu have been confirmed dead. The Kadapa district administration has contacted Sreedhar’s family and is providing necessary assistance. Local authorities have also released photographs of rescued passengers to help families identify their loved ones.
The Indian Ambassador to Vietnam, accompanied by Embassy officials, is travelling to Phu Quoc Island to oversee consular support, coordinate with Vietnamese authorities, and assist the affected families. Officials expect the final list of deceased to be released after the formal identification process is completed.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, has become a popular destination for Indian travellers in recent years, making this one of the deadliest accidents involving Indian tourists in the country.
