At least 15 Indian tourists tragically lost their lives when a boat capsized off the coast of Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, on Saturday. The boat was carrying 36 individuals, including employees and distributors from Lava Mobile, when it overturned approximately 400 meters (1,320 feet) from May Rut Ngoai islet. Rescue efforts by multiple tourist and coast guard vessels successfully saved 21 people from the water.
Rescue Operations and Casualties
The incident occurred on Saturday, prompting an immediate response from local coast guards and tourist boats. Authorities confirmed that all the deceased have been recovered. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam has released the names of the 32 Indian nationals who were on board the boat at the time of the accident.
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, stating, "In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago." He noted that personnel from the Indian Embassy were present at the scene to assist.
Background of the Tourists
Many of the victims were associated with Lava Mobile, a private mobile phone company, participating in an annual meeting. The tourists hailed from the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols for tourist activities in the region.
The Indian Embassy has established control rooms at both the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and the Embassy in Hanoi to provide information and support to the victims' families.
Government Response and Safety Measures
In light of this tragic event, the Vietnamese government is expected to review safety measures for tourist operations, especially in coastal areas. The Indian government is closely monitoring the situation and has pledged assistance to the affected families.
- 15 fatalities confirmed
- 21 individuals rescued
- Boat carried 36 people total
- Incident near Phu Quoc Island
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