A tourist speedboat capsized off the coast of southern Vietnam on Saturday, claiming the lives of 15 Indian visitors, according to state media reports out of Hanoi.
The vessel was carrying 32 Indian tourists along with four crew members when it overturned approximately 400 meters — about 1,310 feet — from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, located near Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, authorities said.
Witnesses told VN Express that boats in the area immediately rushed to help, pulling passengers from the water before border guards, naval personnel, coast guard units, and other rescue agencies arrived on scene. VN Express reported that the rescue operation was especially challenging because a number of those aboard were trapped inside the capsized vessel.
In total, 21 people were pulled to safety, and the bodies of all 15 victims were recovered. Those who sustained injuries were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Video footage broadcast on Vietnamese television showed rough waters and powerful winds at the scene, with rescue crews tossing life buoys to people struggling in the sea. Jet skis were used to bring survivors back to shore, where bystanders on the beach administered first aid.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called for a full investigation into what caused the accident and directed officials to hold any responsible parties accountable. He also instructed authorities to conduct a safety review of waterway and maritime operations in the affected area and in comparable locations throughout the country.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed that the tourists were employees of a private mobile phone company who had been attending an annual company event. He posted on social media that staff from the Indian Embassy had been dispatched to the scene.
Phu Quoc, situated in the Gulf of Thailand, ranks among Vietnam’s most visited beach destinations. Hon May Rut island lies roughly 10 kilometers — about 6 miles — south of Phu Quoc. Both locations are celebrated for their white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, drawing millions of visitors from Vietnam and abroad each year.
The exact cause of the accident had not been determined as of Saturday, and an investigation remains ongoing.
