Tragedy off Vietnam as speedboat overturns, killing 15 Indian tourists

A day of island-hopping turned deadly off the coast of southern Vietnam when a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists capsized in rough seas, leaving at least 15 people dead. Local officials confirmed the vessel went down Saturday roughly 400 meters from Hon May Rut Ngoai, a pristine island in the An Thoi Archipelago that draws visitors from across the globe.

The boat, carrying four crew members in addition to the tourists, flipped in heavy winds and high waves, according to Nguyen Tien Hai, a senior Communist official in the area. Nearby tourist vessels rushed to help, pulling 21 people to safety. Survivors included passengers trapped inside the overturned hull, Vietnam’s VnExpress reported. Hai said authorities are still working to confirm the final death toll and survivor count, adding: “The top priority is rescue, bringing all victims ashore and focusing all efforts on providing emergency care to those who are still alive.”

The Indian embassy in Vietnam called the incident tragic and released a full list of the 32 Indian nationals who were aboard. Embassy staff set up telephone hotlines to offer information and support to affected families. Hon May Rut Ngoai, located about 10 kilometers south of Phu Quoc—Vietnam’s largest island—is a popular stop for boat tours in the Gulf of Thailand. The cause of the capsizing remains under investigation.