NE NEWS SERVICE
HANOI/NEW DELHI/CHENNAI/AMARAVATI, JULY 12
What began as a dream island holiday in Vietnam has ended in one of the worst overseas tragedies involving Indian tourists in recent years. As grief engulfed families across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, India launched an intensive diplomatic and humanitarian mission to bring home the victims after a speedboat carrying Indian tourists capsized off Hon May Rut Ngoai near Phu Quoc Island, killing 15 Indian nationals and leaving one survivor battling for life.
The Embassy of India in Hanoi confirmed that the mortal remains of the victims have been transported to Ho Chi Minh City, where documentation and consular formalities are being expedited before the bodies are flown to India at the earliest.
- Indian Embassy launches round-the-clock repatriation mission as bodies of victims reach Ho Chi Minh City
- Ten victims from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala in one of the deadliest overseas tragedies involving Indian tourists
- One survivor remains critical while 16 others head home after treatment
- Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh activate emergency response, helplines and family assistance
- Vietnam orders high-level probe into Phu Quoc speedboat disaster as rescue and diplomatic efforts continue
The mortal remains of 15 Indian Nationals who tragically passed away in yesterday’s boat accident have reached Ho Chi Minh City.
After completion of formalities at Ho Chi Minh, the mortal remains would be transported to India at the earliest.
The Embassy and the Consulate teams…
— India in Vietnam (@AmbHanoi) July 12, 2026
“The mortal remains of 15 Indian Nationals who tragically passed away in yesterday’s boat accident have reached Ho Chi Minh City. After completion of formalities at Ho Chi Minh, the mortal remains would be transported to India at the earliest.” — Embassy of India, Hanoi
The Embassy said its teams in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were working closely with Vietnamese authorities to ensure swift repatriation.
“We continue to pray for the early recovery of the one survivor at Phu Quoc Hospital.” — Embassy of India, Hanoi
According to the Embassy, 16 of the 17 rescued Indian tourists have been discharged after medical treatment and are travelling back to India, while one passenger continues to receive treatment in critical care at a hospital in Phu Quoc.
The victims include 10 from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala, making the tragedy particularly devastating for southern India. The speedboat, carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members, overturned about 400 metres from the shore while returning from an island excursion. Eyewitnesses said several passengers were trapped inside the overturned vessel as nearby tourist boats, border guards, the navy and coast guard launched rescue operations amid rough sea conditions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the tragedy.
Extremely saddened to learn about the tragic news of a boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam.
My sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. My prayers for the early recovery of the injured survivors.
Our Embassy and Consulate are…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2026
“Extremely saddened to learn about the tragic news of a boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam. My sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. My prayers for the early recovery of the injured survivors. Our Embassy and Consulate are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities.”
வியட்நாம் நாட்டின் ஆன் தோய் கடல் பகுதியிலுள்ள ஹான் மே ருட் ங்வோய் (Hon May Rut Ngoai) தீவிற்கு சுற்றுலா சென்ற இந்தியர்கள் பயணித்த படகு இன்று காலை விபத்தில் சிக்கியதில் தமிழ்நாடு மற்றும் பிற மாநிலங்களைச் சேர்ந்த சுற்றுலாப் பயணிகள் உயிரிழந்த செய்தி அறிந்து மிகுந்த மனவேதனையும்,…
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) July 11, 2026
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay directed senior officials to work in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Vietnam to extend every possible assistance to affected families, including rescue coordination, medical support and repatriation. The Tamil Nadu government also activated helplines for relatives of the victims.
Authorities in Andhra Pradesh similarly initiated coordination with the Indian mission and established assistance mechanisms for the families of the three victims from the State, while Kerala officials also extended support to bereaved families.
Vietnamese authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the accident. Reports indicate that the speedboat captain has been detained for alleged violations of inland waterway safety regulations, while the Vietnamese government has ordered a review of tourist boat safety practices around Phu Quoc Island.
The tragedy has cast a sombre shadow over Phu Quoc, one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations for Indian travellers, renowned for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs and island excursions. Even as investigations continue into the exact cause of the accident, India’s diplomatic machinery remains focused on one immediate priority—bringing every victim home with dignity and supporting families devastated by an unimaginable loss.
