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Capsize off Phu Quoc
Fifteen Indian tourists died after a speedboat capsized near southern Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island, with authorities confirming the incident on Saturday and saying the boat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members when it overturned.
“Fifteen Indian tourists have died after their speedboat capsized near southern Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island”
The BBC reported the vessel overturned about 400 metres (1,312 ft) from Hon May Rut Ngoai island in rough sea conditions, and said 21 people were saved.
VnExpress said the speedboat was travelling from Hon May Rut Island to An Thoi Port when it overturned about 400 meters (440 yards) into the sea, and CNN reported 21 people survived.
The Indian embassy in Hanoi said rescue operations by local Vietnamese authorities were continuing and that it had set up control rooms in the capital and in Ho Chi Minh City to coordinate with victims’ families.
Rescue efforts and officials
Witnesses told VN Express that nearby boats rushed to the scene and began pulling out the passengers before Vietnamese border guards, navy and the coastguard arrived.
Nguyen Tien Hai, a senior Communist official in the area, said the authorities were still working to confirm the exact number of those who died as well as the survivors, and he was quoted by VnExpress saying the speedboat may have capsized due to heavy winds and high waves.
Hai also said, "The top priority is rescue, bringing all victims ashore and focusing all efforts on providing emergency care to those who are still alive," as rescue teams focused on getting survivors to shore.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted condolences, writing, "My sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. My prayers for the early recovery of the injured survivors," while the Indian embassy described the incident as "tragic" and published the full list of the 32 Indian nationals on board.
Tourism stakes and next steps
Phu Quoc, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is among Vietnam’s best-known beach destinations, and Hon May Rut Island is located about 10km south of Phu Quoc, drawing tourists for island-hopping boat tours.
“Phu Quoc, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is among Vietnam’s best-known beach destinations”
The BBC described Hon May Rut Ngoai as a tiny island in the An Thoi Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand that attracts many tourists, while CNN said Phu Quoc has become one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destination, attracting many Indian visitors in recent years.
India’s embassy in Hanoi said it had set up control rooms in the capital and in Ho Chi Minh City to coordinate with victims’ families, and CNN reported the embassy had established emergency response centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist affected families.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung ordered an investigation and directed authorities to hold accountable those responsible, and he also asked officials to review waterway and maritime safety in the area where the accident happened.