Vietnam speedboat tragedy: How island-hopping tour turned into tragedy for 15 Indians after…, what exactly happened near Phu Quoc Island?

A sightseeing trip in Vietnam turned tragic on Saturday after a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists capsized in rough seas near Phu Quoc Island, killing at least 15 people. Several others were trapped inside the overturned boat before being rescued in a massive operation involving local authorities and nearby vessels.

According to Vietnamese media outlet VNExpress, the accident took place around 1 pm local time, about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai. The speedboat was travelling from May Rut Islet to An Thoi Port when it encountered rough sea conditions and overturned.

May Rut Islet, which includes May Rut Trong and May Rut Ngoai, is one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations. Known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and colourful coral reefs, the island attracts thousands of visitors every year for snorkelling, diving and island-hopping tours. The journey usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, but Saturday’s trip ended in disaster.

Why was the rescue operation difficult?

The rescue operation faced major challenges due to high tides and rough sea conditions. Several passengers remained trapped inside the overturned speedboat, making it difficult for rescuers to reach them immediately.

Local fishermen and nearby boats were the first to respond, pulling survivors from the water. Later, Vietnam’s Border Guards deployed two rescue vessels along with 35 officers and soldiers to speed up the operation. Within a few hours, all 32 passengers were accounted for. Authorities confirmed that at least 15 people had died, while the remaining passengers survived.

The company operating the speedboat said the driver, who is in his mid-50s, had years of experience on the route. Vietnamese authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.

How is India helping the affected families?

Following the tragedy, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam said it was closely coordinating with Vietnamese authorities and had set up dedicated control rooms in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist the families of those affected. The embassy also released the names of the 32 Indian tourists travelling on the ill-fated boat and said it was monitoring the rescue and investigation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. In a post on X, he said he was “extremely saddened” by the tragedy and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. He also assured that the Indian Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam were providing all possible assistance while remaining in close contact with local authorities.