Vietnam Boat Tragedy: 15 Dead as Vessel Carrying Indian Tourists Capsizes

A major tragedy has struck in Vietnam where a boat carrying several Indian tourists suddenly capsized near the popular Phu Quoc Island. According to the latest reports, 15 people have lost their lives in this horrific accident, while several others have been rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment. Local authorities are currently conducting an extensive search and rescue operation to locate any missing individuals and provide immediate assistance to the survivors.

Details of the Incident and Victims

The incident occurred on Saturday when the boat, carrying a group of Indian nationals, overturned in the waters near Phu Quoc Island. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam confirmed the development, stating that local authorities were immediately alerted and a rescue mission was launched. While local media reports have confirmed 15 fatalities, it has not yet been officially clarified how many of the deceased are Indian citizens. The boat was reportedly carrying 24 Indian nationals at the time of the capsize.

Breakdown of the Tourist Group

A tourist named Srinivas provided crucial details regarding the group, mentioning that a total of 105 tourists from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu had traveled to Vietnam for a vacation. Out of this larger group, approximately 24 people were on the specific boat that met with the accident. This smaller group included 5 individuals from Andhra Pradesh and 17 from Tamil Nadu. Providing an update on their status, it was noted that 2 people from Andhra Pradesh are safe, while 3 others from the state have been hospitalized. On top of that, several tourists from Tamil Nadu are also receiving treatment in the hospital.

Embassy Response and Emergency Contact Numbers

The Indian Embassy issued a formal statement expressing grief over the tragic event, while the statement confirmed that the boat carrying Indian tourists capsized near Phu Quoc Island and that exact details are being gathered as the search and rescue operations continue. To provide support and information to the affected families, the embassy has set up dedicated control rooms in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Families seeking information can contact the control room at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City using the following phone numbers: +84-362817930, +84-915523714, and +84-334520414. Also, another control room has been established in Hanoi, which can be reached at +84-913089165. These centers are working to provide real-time updates and necessary assistance to the relatives of the victims.

Rescue Challenges and Eyewitness Accounts

According to media reports, several local boat operators rushed to the scene upon seeing the capsized vessel to assist in the rescue efforts. One boatman, speaking to the Vietnamese news website VNExpress International, shared that his boat reached the site within approximately five minutes, while however, the rescue operation proved to be extremely difficult because many passengers were trapped inside the overturned boat. The boatman noted that only a few individuals could be pulled out in a conscious state, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Concerns Over Maritime Safety

This tragic event comes almost a year after another major boat disaster in Vietnam. In July 2025, a tourist boat carrying 48 people, including at least 20 children, capsized during a sudden storm in Ha Long Bay, resulting in the deaths of at least 35 passengers. This latest incident near Phu Quoc Island has once again raised serious concerns regarding maritime safety standards and emergency preparedness at the country's popular tourist destinations. Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the capsize once the rescue operations are concluded.