Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Fifteen Indian nationals lost their lives after a tourist boat capsized near Phu Quoc Island off the coast of Vietnam, in one of the deadliest maritime accidents involving Indian travellers abroad in recent years. The Embassy of India in Hanoi confirmed the toll, stating that the deceased comprised thirteen men and two women, with the Vietnamese authorities providing the official list of victims.
According to details shared by the Embassy, ten of those killed belonged to Tamil Nadu, three hailed from Andhra Pradesh, and two were from Kerala, underscoring the geographic spread of grief across southern India. The vessel involved in the mishap was carrying a total of thirty six people, including thirty two Indian tourists, three crew members, and one attendant, at the time it capsized.
A rescue operation mounted swiftly after the accident led to the safe recovery of twenty one people, comprising seventeen passengers and four crew members, all of whom were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Two of the survivors continue to remain in critical condition and are under intensive medical supervision as doctors monitor their recovery closely. The Vietnam Coast Guard Region 4 Command played a central role in the rescue mission, deploying personnel and specialised assets to comb the waters around Phu Quoc Island for survivors.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Indian diplomatic missions moved quickly to set up support infrastructure for affected families. A dedicated Control Room has been established at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City to coordinate information and assistance, reachable at +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 37 14, and +84 33 452 0414. A parallel Control Room has also been activated in Hanoi, accessible at +84 91 308 9165, ensuring round the clock support for the families of victims and survivors alike.
The incident has cast a shadow over what is typically a popular tourist route for Indian travellers exploring Southeast Asia, and is likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of safety protocols for tourist vessels operating in Vietnamese waters. Indian authorities are expected to remain in close coordination with their Vietnamese counterparts as investigations into the cause of the capsizing continue, even as grieving families await further word on the fate of the two survivors still fighting for their lives.
