A tragic maritime accident occurred in southern Vietnam on Saturday when a speedboat carrying Indian tourists capsized, resulting in the deaths of 15 people. The vessel was less than half a kilometer, or approximately 0.30 miles, from the shore when the incident took place.
According to authorities, the boat was transporting 32 Indian tourists and four crew members. The vessel overturned on Saturday afternoon shortly after departing from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, situated near Phu Quoc, which is Vietnam’s largest island. Witness Ashish Kumar, an Indian national who was on the trip, recounted that the boat tipped over shortly after beginning its journey back. He described the desperate scene as passengers shouted for help, noting that while nearby vessels attempted to assist, it was ultimately too late for many on board.
Kumar also raised concerns regarding the emergency response, stating that there was no medical care available at the shore when the survivors were brought back. He confirmed that some of the passengers were participating in a company tour organized by their employer, which specializes in electronics and smartphone manufacturing. India’s Lava International confirmed that some of its employees and channel partners were involved in the accident, stating that their primary focus is providing support to the affected families.
Rescue operations involved jet skis ferrying survivors to the beach, where bystanders attempted to provide first aid. Footage broadcast on Vietnamese television depicted the difficult conditions, showing strong winds and rough seas as rescue teams utilized life buoys to assist those in the water. Authorities reported that 21 people were successfully rescued, and all 15 victims were recovered. The injured survivors were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment.
In response to the tragedy, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has ordered a formal investigation and directed officials to hold responsible parties accountable. He has further instructed authorities to conduct a thorough review of maritime and waterway safety protocols in the region. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and confirmed that the Indian Embassy is providing comprehensive assistance. Furthermore, officials in the Indian states of Telangana and Tamil Nadu have initiated coordination efforts, with the Tamil Nadu chief minister urging authorities to facilitate the swift repatriation of the victims’ bodies.
Vietnam has become an increasingly popular destination for Indian travelers, with the country welcoming approximately 750,000 Indian visitors in 2025, marking a 50% increase from the previous year. This growth is largely attributed to an expanded network of direct flights between major cities in both nations and Vietnam’s liberalized e-visa policy.
An Indian tourist, who was rescued from a speedboat that capsized, receives treatment at a hospital in Phu Quoc, Vietnam, Saturday, July11, 2026. (Le Huy Hai/VNA via AP)
Three of his friends were on the boat. “Two have died, and the other, I was told, is critical,” he said.
