Vietnam speedboat accident kills at least 15 Indian tourists

HANOI: At least 15 Indian tourists were killed after a speedboat capsized off Vietnam’s southern Phu Quoc island on Saturday, according to state media and local news reports.

The vessel was carrying 36 people when it overturned about 400 metres from May Rut Ngoai islet, VNExpress reported. A rescue operation involving tourist boats and coast guard vessels was launched, and several passengers were pulled from the water alive.

Tuoi Tre newspaper, citing local police, reported that 21 people were taken to hospital for emergency treatment. It said two of those injured were in critical condition.

India’s embassy in Vietnam confirmed that the capsized vessel had been carrying

“several Indian tourists”

and said that

“exact details of the incident are being ascertained”

.

Nguyen Tien Hai, a provincial official of the ruling Communist Party, said authorities were still working to verify the exact number of survivors, according to the state media report. He said preliminary assessments indicated the speedboat may have overturned because of strong winds and high waves.

Tourist destination and wider safety concerns

May Rut Ngoai lies just south of Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, and is known for its clear waters, white sand beaches and diving spots that are easily reached by boat from the main island.

Phu Quoc has experienced a sharp rise in tourism in recent years. More than 1.8 million foreign visitors travelled to the island last year.

Boating accidents occur frequently in Vietnam, where severe weather, recurring floods and poor maintenance have been linked to repeated incidents. In July last year, 39 people were killed when a tourist boat carrying families in Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam capsized after being hit by a sudden storm.