At least 15 Indian tourists were killed after a speedboat carrying Indian visitors capsized off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, according to Vietnamese media reports. Search and rescue operations were continuing as authorities worked to account for everyone on board.
According to Vietnamese news outlet VnExpress International, the speedboat, operated by Ocean Pear Island Company, was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members from Hon May Rut to An Thoi Port when it overturned at around 1 pm, nearly 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai, throwing passengers into the sea.
Tourist boats in the vicinity rushed to the scene to assist with rescue efforts. However, many passengers were trapped inside the overturned vessel, complicating the operation.
"Only a few people were brought out conscious," a boat operator involved in the rescue told VnExpress International.
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam said it was closely monitoring the situation and had established emergency control rooms to assist affected families.
"In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago. Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing," the Embassy said in a post on X.
The Embassy also announced dedicated helplines at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City and in Hanoi for families seeking information or assistance.
Officials said sea conditions near An Thoi were rough when the accident occurred. Although there was no rainfall, tourist boats continued operating in the area at the time of the incident.
A representative of Ocean Pear Island Company said the vessel was on a routine island-hopping tour. The captain, who is in his 50s, reportedly had several years of experience operating passenger boats.
The speedboat was travelling towards May Rut Islet, a popular tourist destination known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs and clear waters, located around 10–12 kilometres south of An Thoi.
The tragedy comes nearly a year after another fatal boating accident in Vietnam. In July 2025, a tourist boat carrying 48 people capsized in Ha Long Bay during a sudden storm, leaving at least 35 people dead, including several children. The latest incident has once again raised concerns over maritime safety and emergency preparedness at the country's popular tourist destinations.
