In brief
A speedboat transporting 32 Indian nationals and four crew members capsized 400 metres from Hon May Rut Ngoai island in the Gulf of Thailand, resulting in 15 fatalities and 21 survivors rescued by nearby vessels. Local authorities confirmed the tragedy on Saturday, and rough sea conditions were cited as a probable cause. Nguyen Tien Hai, a senior Communist official, emphasized rescue and emergency care as priorities, while the Indian embassy described the incident as “tragic” and offered telephone hotlines for families. The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns during island-hopping tours in Vietnam’s popular tourist region.
A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members capsized 400 metres from Hon May Rut Ngoai island, part of the An Thoi Archipelago, in rough sea conditions on Saturday. The incident took place about 10 kilometres south of Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island. Fifteen people lost their lives, while 21 were rescued by nearby tourist vessels.
Local authorities confirmed the tragedy and noted that the vessel had overturned in high winds and waves. Nguyen Tien Hai, a senior Communist official in the area, said the rescue teams were working “to bring all victims ashore and provide emergency care to survivors.”
The Indian Embassy described the incident as “tragic” and published a full list of the 32 Indian nationals aboard. It also set up telephone hotlines to provide information and assistance to affected families.
Rescue operations were quickly organized, with several nearby vessels rescuing passengers who were trapped inside the capsized speedboat. The full death toll remains under investigation, with officials and emergency services coordinating efforts to confirm the numbers and ensure all survivors receive care.
