Bodies of Vietnam boat tragedy victims arrive in Mumbai, to be sent to their home states

The mortal remains of 15 Indian nationals who perished in a tourist boat tragedy in Vietnam arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday. The bodies were brought aboard Vietnam Airlines flight VN979 and landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. From Mumbai, the remains will be transported to their home states, including Chennai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, and Coimbatore, in coordination with state governments for the families to perform the final rites. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam had previously confirmed the departure of the 15 victims' remains from Ho Chi Minh City.

The tragedy occurred on July 11 when a tourist speedboat carrying 36 people, including 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members, capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island. Vietnamese authorities reported that the vessel, operated by Ocean Pearl Island Company, was en route from Hon May Rut Islet to An Thoi Port when it encountered rough weather and overturned. Nearby boats responded quickly, and rescue teams brought all passengers ashore. Of the 36 individuals on board, 21 survived, while 15 Indian tourists lost their lives. Ten victims were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala.

Following the incident, the Indian mission collaborated with Vietnamese authorities to manage identification, documentation, and consular procedures for the deceased. Assistance was also provided to the survivors and their families. The Embassy reported that the one critically injured Indian survivor had undergone a medical procedure and was transferred from Phu Quoc to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for further treatment. The Embassy and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City expressed gratitude to various Vietnamese authorities and agencies for their support in the aftermath of the incident.