Prime Minister Narendra Modi has voiced sorrow over the fatal boat mishap involving Indian citizens near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and stated that the Indian Embassy and Consulate are extending all necessary support while maintaining close coordination with Vietnamese authorities.
Deeply distressed by the tragic boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc in Vietnam. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and pray for the swift recovery of those injured. Our Embassy and Consulate are extending every possible support, and our officials remain in close coordination with the Vietnamese authorities, the Prime Minister wrote on X.
A total of 15 Indian tourists have died in the boat capsizing incident.
The boat, with 32 Indian tourists and four crew members on board, capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island off Phu Quoc in Vietnam. Authorities told state media, as reported by AP, that the vessel overturned approximately 400 metres (1,310 feet) from the island, which lies close to Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island. Three tourists from Andhra Pradesh have been admitted to hospital, according to sources in the Andhra Pradesh government cited by PTI.
Eyewitnesses said nearby boats rushed to the spot and began rescuing passengers from the water before border guards, the navy, coast guard and other emergency teams joined the operation. Rescue efforts were hampered as several passengers remained trapped inside the overturned vessel, according to reports.
A government official stated that authorities were still determining the precise number of survivors, according to a state media report quoted by AFP. He noted that initial evaluations indicated the speedboat likely overturned because of powerful winds and rough seas.