NE NEWS SERVICE
HANOI/NEW DELHI/CHENNAI/AMARAVATI, JULY 11
A dream holiday for dozens of Indian tourists ended in one of the deadliest overseas travel tragedies involving Indians in recent years after a tourist speedboat capsized off Vietnam’s picturesque Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, leaving 15 people feared dead, including tourists from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, while triggering a massive multinational rescue and relief operation.
The tragedy prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express profound grief, while the Indian Embassy in Hanoi, the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, and Vietnamese rescue agencies mounted coordinated efforts to assist survivors and support bereaved families.
It is with profound grief that we share the list of 15 Indian nationals who have lost their lives in the tragic boat accident near Phuc Quoc Island today. The list has been recieved from the Vietnamese authorities.
Our prayers are with the families of the deceased.
The Embassy… pic.twitter.com/2fr2TjXuPp
— India in Vietnam (@AmbHanoi) July 11, 2026
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses profound grief as rescue agencies race against time off Phu Quoc Island
- Indian Embassy, Consulate and Vietnamese authorities launch round-the-clock rescue, relief and consular operations for affected families
- Tamil Nadu confirms 10 fatalities, Andhra Pradesh reports two deaths and three injured; identity verification of other victims continues
- Speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members capsizes near An Thoi Port; 21 rescued as probe begins
- Mechanical failure and rough seas among possible causes as India and Vietnam coordinate humanitarian response
In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago.
Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing.
In order to provide information…
— India in Vietnam (@AmbHanoi) July 11, 2026
According to Vietnamese authorities, the speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members overturned about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai while returning from Hon May Rut to An Thoi Port, throwing everyone into the sea.
Nearby tourist boats rushed to the scene before personnel from the Vietnam Border Guard, Navy, Coast Guard Region 4 and other emergency agencies launched a large-scale search-and-rescue mission using patrol boats, life rafts and jet skis.
Initial reports indicated that 21 people were rescued, including 17 tourists and all four crew members, while 15 Indian tourists lost their lives. Two survivors remained in critical condition. Authorities confirmed that everyone aboard had been accounted for.
Prime Minister expresses grief
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
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and assured that every possible assistance was being extended through Indian diplomatic missions in Vietnam.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said: “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.”
Embassy activates emergency control rooms
In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago.
Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing.
In order to provide information…
— India in Vietnam (@AmbHanoi) July 11, 2026
Soon after the tragedy, the Embassy of India in Hanoi described the accident as deeply distressing and established dedicated emergency control rooms to assist affected families.
In an official statement, the Embassy said: “In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam.”
The mission said rescue operations would continue in coordination with Vietnamese authorities and appealed to families to contact the emergency helplines for information and assistance.
Officials from both the Embassy and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City have remained in constant touch with Vietnamese authorities overseeing rescue, medical care and identification procedures.
Tamil Nadu confirms 10 deaths
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 officials confirmed that 10 tourists from the State were among those killed in the accident.
State authorities said every effort was being made in coordination with the Union Government and the Indian Embassy to expedite documentation and repatriation of the mortal remains.
“All efforts are being taken, in coordination with the Union Government authorities, to bring back the bodies of the Tamil Nadu tourists who died in the incident,” a senior official said.
The Tamil Nadu Government is also coordinating with district administrations to provide support to the victims’ families.
Andhra Pradesh reports two fatalities
The Andhra Pradesh Government confirmed that two tourists from Machilipatnam—identified in preliminary reports as Jalalakshmi and Jayashree—were among those killed.
Three other tourists from the State sustained injuries and were admitted to hospital.
Officials said: “Preliminary information indicates that two persons from Machilipatnam are among the deceased. We are coordinating with the Indian Embassy and the Vietnamese authorities, and further details will be shared after official confirmation.”
Authorities added that identity verification of other affected Indian nationals was continuing.
Cause under investigation
The tour had reportedly been organised by Vietnam-based Threeland Travel through local coordinating agency Sai Vietnam, with the Indian tourist group said to be associated with Lava Mobile.
Investigators are examining whether rough sea conditions, adverse weather or a possible mechanical failure contributed to the accident.
Vietnamese authorities have launched a formal inquiry while continuing to assist survivors and facilitate the return of the victims.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves across India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, as families anxiously await official confirmation regarding their loved ones.
