The mortal remains of 15 Indian tourists who lost their lives in a speedboat accident off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island are being flown back to India today, more than 48 hours after the tragedy. The boat, operated by Ocean Pearl Island Company, was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members when it capsized on Saturday afternoon while returning to An Thoi International Port.
According to survivors, the speedboat had travelled only a short distance from Hon May Rut Ngoai Islet before strong currents caused it to tilt and overturn within seconds, throwing everyone onboard into the sea. The exact cause of the accident remains under official investigation.
Eyewitness Accounts
Passengers described chaotic scenes as nearby boats rushed to rescue those struggling in the water before Vietnamese border guards, navy personnel and coast guard teams arrived. Survivors recalled that the vessel had barely travelled a few hundred metres before capsizing.
Several survivors have also claimed that emergency medical assistance was not immediately available when they reached shore, alleging that delays in treatment may have worsened the tragedy. These accounts remain personal testimonies and have not been confirmed by Vietnamese authorities.
Who Was On Board
Many of the passengers were part of a company-organised tour and had travelled to Vietnam from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on July 8.
The Indian Embassy confirmed that among the 15 victims, 10 were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala. Two of those who died were women.
Of the 17 Indian tourists rescued, 16 have already been discharged from hospital and returned to India. One survivor remains hospitalized in Ho Chi Minh City, where officials say the patient's condition is serious but improving.
Government Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said the Indian Embassy in Vietnam was providing every possible assistance.
The governments of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have established dedicated helplines and control rooms to support affected families. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister also urged authorities to expedite the return of the victims' mortal remains.
In Vietnam, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and directed officials to identify those responsible if any negligence is found. Authorities have also been instructed to review maritime and waterway safety standards to help prevent similar accidents.
Repatriation of the Victims
According to the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, the bodies are being transported from Ho Chi Minh City to Mumbai aboard Vietnam Airlines flight VN979. The flight is scheduled to depart at 6:00 PM local time and arrive at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at approximately 9:35 PM IST.
State governments have been informed to coordinate with the families and arrange onward transportation of the victims to their respective hometowns for the final rites.
Current Status
As of the day of repatriation, Vietnamese authorities have not announced the official cause of the accident. Investigators continue to examine whether weather conditions, water currents, vessel stability or other operational factors contributed to the capsizing.
Until the official investigation is completed, survivor accounts regarding the sequence of events and emergency response should be treated as eyewitness testimony rather than confirmed findings.