In a devastating tragedy, 15 Indian tourists were killed after a tourist speedboat capsized off the coast of Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island on Saturday (July 11) afternoon. The victims were part of a company-sponsored incentive trip organized by the Indian mobile manufacturer Lava International.
Vietnamese authorities and the Indian Embassy in Hanoi confirmed that the vessel was carrying 32 Indian nationals and four local crew members when it overturned just 400 metres from the shores of Hon May Rut Ngoai Island. While 17 individuals were pulled from the water alive following a massive rescue operation, one survivor remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
“No First Aid, No CPR”: Vietnam Tragedy Survivors Recount Horror
Eyewitnesses and survivors have painted a harrowing picture of the accident’s immediate aftermath, alleging that a severe lack of emergency medical infrastructure at the shore exacerbated the death toll.
According to survivors from the group, the boat had barely traveled half a kilometre into the sea when it was struck by massive waves, causing it to violently tilt and capsize within seconds. While nearby tourist boats and Vietnamese border guards rushed to pull passengers from the rough waters, survivors allege that basic emergency medical care—including oxygen and professional CPR—was entirely absent when they were brought ashore. Instead, frantic tourists and tour staff were forced to perform CPR on the victims themselves until ambulances eventually arrived.
Lava International Confirms Victims Were Channel Partners
The victims were all part of an exclusive junket rewarding top-performing dealers and distributors from southern India. In an official statement, Lava International expressed deep sorrow, confirming that 14 of the deceased were esteemed channel partners, while one was a direct employee of the company.
According to the official list released by the Indian Embassy, the casualties include 10 individuals from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala. The company stated that its teams in both India and Vietnam are working closely with local authorities and the embassy to ensure the earliest possible repatriation of the mortal remains.
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Repatriation Efforts Underway as State Governments Step In
The tragedy has prompted immediate intervention from the highest levels of the Indian government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep condolences to the bereaved families, while the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala have directed their respective state administrations to coordinate directly with the Ministry of External Affairs.
As of Sunday morning, the mortal remains of the 15 victims were being transported to Ho Chi Minh City to complete formal identification and exit formalities before being flown back to India. Meanwhile, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has ordered a comprehensive probe into the incident, directing local authorities to strictly review maritime safety protocols and hold the boat operators accountable for any negligence or overloading that led to the fatal capsizing.