A tourist boat carrying Indian visitors capsized near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, leaving several people feared dead and prompting a large-scale rescue operation by local authorities. The Indian Embassy in Hanoi confirmed the incident, describing it as a tragic accident and stating that officials were working with Vietnamese authorities to determine the complete details of those affected.
According to initial reports, the speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members while travelling from Hon May Rut to An Thoi Port when it overturned about 400 metres from Hon May Rut Ngoai. Passengers were reportedly thrown into the sea after the vessel flipped, with nearby tourist boats immediately moving towards the site to rescue people from the water.
Vietnamese authorities said rescue teams, including border guards, navy personnel, coast guard units and other emergency agencies, joined the search operation after receiving information about the accident. Local reports stated that 15 people were feared dead, while authorities continued efforts to confirm the exact number of casualties and locate all passengers who were on board.
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Officials said rescue efforts were complicated as some passengers were reportedly trapped beneath the overturned vessel. Weather conditions in the area were described as challenging, with rough waters affecting the operation, although earlier rainfall had reduced by the time the boat capsized. Authorities continued searching the area while providing assistance to survivors and families of those involved.
The Indian Embassy has activated two emergency control rooms to support affected families and coordinate information regarding the incident. One control room has been set up at the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and another at the Embassy in Hanoi. Officials said the helplines would remain available for people seeking assistance or updates about the accident.
The incident occurred during a busy tourism period for Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, which has seen a significant rise in visitor numbers. The island has become a popular destination for international tourists, with foreign arrivals increasing in recent months. Authorities and diplomatic officials are continuing to monitor the situation as rescue and identification efforts remain underway.
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