The mortal remains of the 15 Indian tourists who died in the speedboat accident near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, are being repatriated to India on Monday. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam said the bodies will be flown from Ho Chi Minh City to Mumbai on Vietnam Airlines flight VN979, while most of the survivors have already been discharged from hospital. The flight is scheduled to depart Ho Chi Minh City at 6:00 pm local time and arrive at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 9:35 pm IST. The embassy said the concerned state governments have been informed to help the families with the onward transportation of the bodies.
What Happened In The Vietnam Boat Accident?
The accident took place on Saturday when a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai, off Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island. The tourists were reportedly returning from an island excursion when the boat overturned around 400 metres from the island. Nearby tourist boats and rescue teams launched a search and rescue operation soon after the incident.
The accident claimed the lives of 15 Indian tourists, while 17 others were rescued. According to the Indian Embassy, 16 survivors have been discharged from hospital and are returning to India. One survivor remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment at a hospital in Phu Quoc.
Among those who lost their lives in the Vietnam boat accident, 10 tourists were from Tamil Nadu, three were from Andhra Pradesh, and two were from Kerala. The governments of all three states have issued helpline numbers and are coordinating with authorities to provide assistance and support to the affected families.
The Indian Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said they remain available for any assistance required during the repatriation process.
What Did Survivors Reveal?
Survivor Nirmal Kumar said the speedboat overturned within seconds, allegedly because of high waves and possible overloading. Another survivor, Ashish Kumar, said the tourists were travelling between islands as part of the company trip. According to him, the boat tipped over around 1:30 pm local time, leaving passengers with little time to react. He also claimed that rescue teams reached the spot quickly but medical teams were not immediately available. According to survivors, the group reached Vietnam on July 9 for a company-sponsored foreign trip and was scheduled to return to India on Sunday morning.
Leaders Express Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and several Chief Ministers expressed condolences over the tragic incident. PM Modi said he was deeply saddened by the loss of Indian lives and extended his sympathies to the bereaved families while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured survivors.
“Extremely saddened to learn about the tragic news of a boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam,” PM Modi said in a post on X. “My sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. My prayers for the early recovery of the injured survivors.”
