At least 15 Indian tourists have died in a devastating boat accident near Phu Quoc, a popular tourist island in southern Vietnam. Vietnamese news outlet VnExpress reported the incident, which occurred on Saturday (July 11).
According to local authorities, a total of 36 people were on board the vessel at the time of the accident. Among them were 32 Indian tourists, three crew members and one staff member. Rescue teams managed to save 21 people alive, while search operations for those still missing are continuing.
The boat was reportedly traveling from Hon May island toward An Thoi Port. It capsized suddenly after reaching an area about 400 meters off the coast. At the time of the accident, the sea was extremely rough, and initial assessments suggest that strong waves caused the vessel to lose balance and overturn.
Local authorities, security forces and relevant agencies have joined the rescue operation. Search efforts are continuing in the sea area to locate missing passengers.
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam expressed deep sorrow over the incident. The embassy said it has been closely monitoring the situation since the accident and is taking necessary measures to support the affected families.
In a statement, the Indian Embassy said rescue and search operations are being carried out with the cooperation of local authorities. It added that efforts are also underway to determine the exact cause of the accident and gather further details.
The embassy has established emergency contact and assistance centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to provide support to those affected.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, has become an increasingly popular travel destination among Indian tourists in recent years. The accident in such a well-known tourist location has raised fresh concerns over maritime safety.
Source: Reuters