15 Indian Tourists Dead as Speedboat Capsizes Off Vietnam's Phu Quoc

A tragic maritime incident unfolded on Saturday, July 11, 2026, when a speedboat carrying a substantial group of Indian tourists capsized off the coast of Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam. The accident, which occurred near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, approximately 400 meters from its shore, resulted in the confirmed deaths of 15 individuals, all of whom were Indian tourists. The ill-fated vessel was transporting 32 Indian tourists and four crew members from Hon May Rut to An Thoi Port when it unexpectedly malfunctioned and overturned, plunging all occupants into the sea. Initial reports from the scene indicated that nearby tourist boats swiftly responded to the distress, commencing immediate rescue efforts by pulling passengers from the water. These civilian efforts were soon bolstered by the coordinated arrival of official rescue teams, including border guards, the navy, and the coast guard, who joined the search-and-rescue operation. Through these combined efforts, 21 individuals were successfully rescued from the water. Unfortunately, despite the rapid response, 15 people could not be saved, and their bodies were subsequently recovered. The injured were promptly transported to local hospitals for medical attention. The Indian Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, swiftly acknowledged the incident, describing it as "tragic" and confirming that a boat carrying several Indian tourists had indeed capsized near Phu Quoc Island. The Embassy has been in close coordination with local Vietnamese authorities to ascertain the precise details of the incident and to provide all necessary assistance. To facilitate communication and support for the affected families, the Indian Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City immediately established dedicated control rooms. These control rooms are providing information and assistance, and contact numbers have been widely disseminated to ensure families can reach out for help. Specifically, the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City can be reached at +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 37 14, and +84 33 452 0414, while the control room in Hanoi can be contacted at +84 91 308 9165. While the immediate rescue operations appear to have concluded with all known casualties and survivors accounted for, an investigation into the cause of the accident is currently underway. The specific reasons for the speedboat's malfunction and subsequent capsizing are not yet clear. The vessel was identified as belonging to the Ocean Pear Island Company. Reports suggest that a significant number of the Indian tourists involved in the tragedy were from the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and they were reportedly part of a trip organized for distributors of a mobile company. Phu Quoc, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is a popular tourist destination in Vietnam, renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches and clear waters, attracting millions of both domestic and international visitors annually. This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding maritime safety and emergency preparedness in popular tourist regions, a concern echoed by previous boating tragedies in Vietnam, such as the one in Ha Long Bay in July 2025.

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