A tragic incident unfolded near Vietnam's popular Phu Quoc Island on Saturday when a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists, three crew members, and one attendant overturned. Local authorities have reported that at least 15 Indian nationals are feared dead following the accident.
Twenty-one individuals were successfully rescued from the waters off the tourist destination. Vietnamese authorities immediately launched extensive search and rescue operations, which are ongoing, and have begun investigating the circumstances that led to the capsizing.
Indian Embassy Coordinates Rescue Efforts
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam has activated emergency response mechanisms to assist those affected and their families. Dedicated control rooms have been established in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to coordinate with Vietnamese officials and provide updates.
In a public statement, the embassy released the names of the 32 Indian tourists who were on board the ill-fated vessel. They are actively working to verify casualty details and have committed to providing further information as it becomes available. However, official confirmation regarding the identities and exact number of fatalities from Indian authorities is still pending.
Helplines Activated for Families
To support the relatives of those involved, the Indian mission has set up emergency helplines. Families can contact the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City at +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 37 14, and +84 33 452 0414. A separate control room at the Embassy in Hanoi is reachable at +84 91 308 9165.
These helplines remain operational to respond to queries, facilitate communication with local authorities, and offer assistance to affected families as rescue and identification efforts continue.
Andhra Pradesh Government Monitoring Situation
Minister for NRI Empowerment & Relations Kondapalli Srinivas of Andhra Pradesh stated that the state government is closely monitoring the situation. Officials are working to determine if any of the victims are from Andhra Pradesh. "We are collecting data on how many people from Andhra Pradesh died in the boat accident in Vietnam... As of now, we do not have the exact number of victims from Andhra Pradesh," Srinivas said.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, is renowned for its scenic beaches and water sports, attracting thousands of international tourists annually. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.