Speedboat capsizes off Phu Quoc, 15 Indian tourists dead, 21 rescued in rough seas
A speedboat carrying 36 people overturned 400 metres from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island on Saturday, throwing all aboard into the rough water. Indian and Vietnamese authorities are coordinating the emergency response.
A speedboat travelling from Hon May Rut Island to An Thoi Port capsized about 400 metres (440 yards) off Phu Quoc in southern Vietnam on Saturday, killing 15 Indian tourists and leaving 21 survivors.
- Speedboat overturns 400 m off Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, throwing 36 people into the sea
- Nearby tourist boats arrive and begin pulling survivors from the water
- Authorities confirm 15 dead, 21 survivors; search-and-rescue continues
- Indian embassy announces emergency response centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
Sequence of the accident
Operated by the Ocean Pear Island Company, the vessel was carrying 32 Indian tourists, three crew members and one attendant when it overturned around 13:00 local time. Authorities cited by VnExpress reported that sea conditions were rough, with large waves in the area at the time. The boat went down near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, a popular day‑trip destination.
Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing.
Rescue and casualties
Multiple tourist boats in the vicinity reached the accident site within about five minutes, according to a boat operator involved in the effort. Divers and rescue crews faced severe difficulty because many of the passengers were trapped inside the overturned hull. One rescuer described the scene:
Only a few people were rescued conscious from the boat.
By late afternoon, local authorities confirmed that 15 Indian nationals had died and 21 people had been pulled from the water alive. The search continued for any remaining unaccounted individuals, although officials indicated that all 36 persons on the manifest had been located.
- Dead
- 15
- Survived
- 21
India's diplomatic response
The Indian embassy in Vietnam issued a statement calling the incident "tragic" and announced that emergency response centres had been established in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist the families of those affected. Consular staff are working with Vietnamese rescue authorities to repatriate the deceased and support the survivors.
Phu Quoc's growing tourism pressure
Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, has experienced a surge in foreign visitors in recent years, with Indian tourists forming a fast‑growing segment. The accident has raised immediate questions about safety protocols for speedboat excursions, although no formal investigation has been announced as of Saturday evening.
