Vietnam Boat Tragedy: At Least 15 Indian Tourists Killed After Speedboat Capsizes Near Phu Quoc
Vietnam Boat Tragedy: At Least 15 Indian Tourists Killed After Speedboat Capsizes Near Phu Quoc
13 July, 2026: At least 15 Indian tourists lost their lives after a tourist speedboat carrying Indian nationals capsized near Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam on Saturday. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, with emergency operations continuing through the day.
According to Vietnamese authorities, the speedboat AG 26751, operated by Ocean Pearl Island Company, was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members from Hon May Rut Island to An Thoi Port. The vessel overturned about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, throwing everyone on board into the sea.
Officials said 21 people, including 17 passengers and all four crew members, were rescued and admitted to hospitals, while two survivors remain in critical condition. Reports said rough sea conditions and large waves may have contributed to the accident.
The Indian Embassy in Hanoi has activated emergency response measures and established control rooms in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to assist affected families. Embassy officials, along with the Indian Ambassador, are travelling to Phu Quoc to coordinate with Vietnamese authorities and provide consular support.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy, saying he was “extremely saddened” by the loss of Indian lives. He assured that the Indian Embassy and Consulate are providing all possible assistance and are in close contact with Vietnamese officials.
Preliminary information suggests that seven tourists from the Telugu-speaking states were among those on board. Authorities have confirmed the deaths of Gelli Jayalakshmi (Machilipatnam), Mudium Sreedhar (49, Kadapa), and Thomas Avicot Cheriyan from Tamil Nadu, while the identities and status of several others are still being officially verified.
The Indian mission said photographs of rescued passengers have been released to help families identify their relatives. Officials added that the formal list of deceased victims will be released after the identification process is completed.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, has become a popular destination among Indian tourists in recent years. Authorities in both India and Vietnam are continuing rescue, identification and assistance efforts following the tragic accident.
