Speedboat accident in southern Vietnam kills 15 Indian tourists

At least 15 Indian tourists died when a speedboat carrying them capsized off the coast of Phu Quoc island in southern Vietnam on Saturday. The vessel was en route with 36 people aboard when it overturned about 400 meters from the May Rut Ngoai islet.

A significant rescue effort involving multiple tourist and coast guard boats was launched, successfully pulling some individuals from the water. Local police reported that 21 survivors were taken to a hospital for emergency treatment, with two in critical condition. India's embassy in Vietnam confirmed that several of its citizens were on board and is working to ascertain the exact details of the incident.

Provincial official Nguyen Tien Hai stated that authorities are still confirming the precise number of survivors. Initial findings suggest that extreme weather conditions, specifically strong winds and high waves, may have caused the speedboat to capsize. Phu Quoc island, a popular tourist destination known for its clear waters and diving reefs, attracts over 1.8 million foreign visitors annually.

Boating accidents are a recurring tragedy in Vietnam, often attributed to severe weather, persistent flooding, and inadequate vessel maintenance. Last July, a similar incident occurred in Ha Long Bay when a tourist boat capsized during a storm, killing 39 people.