The remains of 15 Indian tourists who died in a speedboat capsizing off southern Vietnam arrived in Mumbai on Monday. The vessel overturned near Hon May Rut Ngoai island, killing 15 of the 32 Indian passengers. Vietnamese authorities are investigating the boat captain for safety violations.
Repatriation and Official Response
A Vietnam Airlines flight transported the remains of the 15 victims from Ho Chi Minh City to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Monday. The Indian Embassy in Hanoi confirmed the coordination of the repatriation process, noting that home states—specifically Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala—were tasked with managing onward travel for the families. The embassy expressed appreciation for the support provided by Vietnamese authorities during the recovery efforts.
The victims were part of a larger group of employees, distributors, and retail partners on a corporate trip organized by Lava International, a smartphone and electronics manufacturer based in Uttar Pradesh. While 16 survivors have been cleared to return to India, one individual remains in critical condition. This survivor was transferred to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for specialized care following a medical procedure in Phu Quoc.
Survivor Accounts and Incident Details
The incident occurred on a Saturday afternoon, shortly after the speedboat departed from Hon May Rut Ngoai island. The vessel was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members.
Nirmal Kumar, a 44-year-old businessman who survived the accident, described a rapid escalation from a leisurely excursion to a life-threatening crisis. He reported that a storm hit the area, causing the vessel to rock violently. People rushed from one side of the boat to the other, and then they started jumping,
Kumar told The Associated Press. I also jumped into the water.
Other accounts suggest the capsizing happened quickly. The boat tipped over about 400 metres from the shore. While rescue teams arrived within minutes, the density of the vessel and the chaotic conditions made the evacuation difficult, with some passengers reportedly trapped inside the hull.
Safety Standards and Ongoing Investigation
Vietnamese authorities have detained the boat’s captain, 57-year-old Nguyen Hong Hai, who is currently under investigation for alleged violations of waterway transport safety regulations. It has been reported that the tilt likely occurred when passengers shifted their weight to one side during a sharp turn in rough weather, causing the boat to lose stability.
The accident has prompted calls for a review of maritime safety protocols in the Phu Quoc archipelago. Although life jackets were provided to passengers, reports indicate there is no confirmation that all passengers were wearing them correctly at the time of the incident. The Vietnamese government has committed to reviewing safety standards for pleasure boats, which are essential for tourism in the region.
Tourism Growth and Regional Impact
Phu Quoc is a primary destination for international travelers, and the Indian market has become one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing tourism sectors. This growth highlights the challenges of maintaining safety infrastructure as visitor numbers climb.
Dr. Tran Thanh Linh, head of the intensive care unit at Cho Ray Hospital, confirmed that the hospitalized survivor’s condition has shown improvement, with blood pressure and oxygen levels stabilizing. The investigation into the specific causes of the capsizing remains active.
Find more reporting in our World section.
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