A tragic maritime accident occurred in southern Vietnam on Saturday afternoon when a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members capsized, resulting in the deaths of 15 people.
The vessel overturned less than half a kilometer from the shore shortly after departing from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, located near Phu Quoc, which is Vietnam’s largest island.
Witness Ashish Kumar, an Indian national who was present during the incident, described the sudden nature of the tragedy. He recounted that the boat tipped over shortly after beginning its return journey, with passengers desperately shouting for help.
While nearby vessels rushed to the scene to assist, Kumar noted that it was already too late for many.
He further claimed that there was no emergency medical support available at the shore when the survivors were brought back. Kumar, who had three friends on board, confirmed that two of them died, and a third remains in critical condition.
Some of the passengers were participating in a company tour organized by their employer, Lava International, a manufacturer of smartphones and consumer electronics. The company confirmed that several of its employees and channel partners were involved in the accident, stating that their immediate priority is to provide support to the affected families.
Footage broadcast on Vietnamese television depicted rescue teams throwing life buoys into rough, windy seas, while jet skis transported survivors to the beach for first aid. Authorities confirmed that 21 people were rescued and all 15 bodies have been recovered. The injured survivors were transported to local hospitals.
In response to the disaster, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has ordered an official investigation and directed authorities to hold those responsible accountable. He also mandated a review of maritime and waterway safety protocols in the region.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, confirming that the Indian Embassy is providing all necessary assistance.
Many of the passengers are believed to have hailed from the Indian states of Telangana and Tamil Nadu. Telangana officials have established a control room to coordinate support, while the chief minister of Tamil Nadu has urged Indian authorities to ensure the victims' remains are repatriated as quickly as possible.
India has become one of Vietnam’s most significant and rapidly growing tourism markets, with approximately 750,000 Indian visitors recorded in 2025, a nearly 50% increase from the previous year. Officials attribute this surge to an expanded network of direct flights between major cities in both nations and Vietnam’s liberal e-visa policies.
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)
