India sends urgent aid after Vietnam boat accident kills 15 tourists

India is providing urgent consular assistance to the survivors and families of the 15 Indian nationals who died in a maritime accident off the coast of southern Vietnam. The incident occurred near the popular tourist island of Phu Quoc.

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Our Embassy and Consulate are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed on social media that India's Embassy and Consulate are actively engaged, offering all possible support and maintaining close communication with Vietnamese officials. The government is coordinating medical attention for the 21 rescued survivors and facilitating the repatriation process for the deceased.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed deep distress over the loss of "precious lives," while opposition leader Rahul Gandhi extended his thoughts to the families enduring an "agonizing wait" for details about the incident. The Indian government has confirmed that all 32 individuals on board the vessel were Indian tourists.

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deeply distressed

The accident happened around 1:00 PM local time when a speedboat carrying the tourists and four crew members experienced a mechanical failure. The vessel, returning to An Thoi port, capsized amidst strong waves and unusual winds. Preliminary investigations suggest the boat's licenses and permits were in order. Vietnamese authorities, including the Coast Guard, were involved in the rescue efforts, but 15 people tragically lost their lives after becoming trapped inside the vessel.

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agonizing wait