Tragic Speedboat Accident Claims Lives of Indian Tourists in Vietnam
HANOI, Vietnam — A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday as a speedboat capsized off the southern coast of Vietnam, leading to the death of 15 individuals and leaving two Indian tourists in critical condition.
The boat, which was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members, turned over less than half a kilometer from shore shortly after departing from Hon May Rut Ngoai island, located near Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island.
Accident Occurs Shortly After Departure
All the victims were traveling as part of a company trip organized by Lava International, an Indian smartphone and electronics company, for employees, distributors, and retail partners. Ashish Kumar, a distributor from Guntur, India, witnessed the tragedy from the shoreline as the group was split into three smaller boats. He noted that while the first boat had already set off, the other two remained at the dock when the speedboat capsized.
“It happened very quickly, and we were shouting for help,” he shared in a phone interview with the Associated Press.
Rescue Efforts Underway Amid Rough Seas
Ha Van Loc, a boat operator nearby, saw the overturned vessel just after 12:40 p.m. He described the chaos, with people clinging to the boat and struggling without life jackets in the strong waves. Despite his efforts to help, rough seas made it difficult to reach the overturned boat safely.
Loc and his crew managed to rescue four survivors within minutes by throwing life buoys, while other boats soon arrived to assist. Strong waves reaching up to 10 feet posed a significant challenge for the rescue teams. Jet skis had an easier time navigating the rough waters, bringing survivors back to shore one at a time.
Medical Care and Casualties
Once back on shore, there was no immediate medical assistance available for the survivors. Tourists and staff from the tour company worked tirelessly, performing CPR and providing oxygen to the affected individuals. Seventeen injured passengers were quickly taken to Phu Quoc Sun Hospital, where two remained in critical condition while four others were stable enough to be discharged.
The Indian Embassy reported that most of the deceased hailed from the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala.
A Popular Destination for Indian Tourists
Hon May Rut island is located about 10 kilometers south of Phu Quoc, a favorite beach getaway known for its beautiful sandy shores and clear waters. Each year, Vietnam attracts hundreds of thousands of Indian tourists, with numbers rising significantly thanks to improved travel connections and a welcoming visa policy.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with water sports, and it has drawn attention to the need for safety precautions during tourism activities.
