At least 15 people were killed after a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists capsized off Hon May Rut Ngoai near the Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam on Saturday after which a massive rescue operation was launched by local authorities, Vitenamese media reports said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam said the exact details of the incident are being ascertained, while adding that it is closely monitoring the situation. A control room has also been established and can be reached out at +84 91 308 9165, it said in a post on micro-blogging platform X (formerly Twitter).
"In order to provide information and assistance to affected families, a Control Room at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City has been setup which can be reached at: +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 37 14 and +84 33 452 0414," the embassy said. "We are available for any assistance and queries."
In another post, the mission released the list of the 32 Indians who were on the speedboat, adding that it is ascertaining further details on casualties.
PM Modi 'extremely saddened'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is 'extremely saddened' with what happened in Vietnam, offering condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. He also said the Indian officials are coordinating with local authorities to provide assistance to the family members.
"My prayers for the early recovery of the injured survivors," he said on X. "Our Embassy and Consulate are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities."
15 dead, rescue operation underway
Local media reports suggest the boat was carrying as many as 32 Indian tourists, along with four crew members. The incident left as many as 15 people dead: 10 from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala.
Multiple videos have also surfaced on social media that showed the authorities and the locals rescuing the people and providing them with medical assistance.
Meanwhile, authorities stated the incident happened around 1 pm local time when the boat was transporting the tourists to An Thoi Port from Hon May Rut. It capsized around 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai, they said, adding that nearby tourists were the first responders.
The boat was operated by the Ocean Pear Island Company, authorities said, adding that most of the tourists were trapped inside the boat after it overturned. They further said the sea was rough, which only made the rescue operation difficult.
"Only a few people were brought out conscious," VnExpress International quoted an official as saying.
Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations for Indian tourists because of its affordable luxury and visa-friendly policies. Around 7.46 lakh Indian tourists had visited Vietnam alone in 2025, which shows the popularity of the southeast Asian country among the Indians.
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