Phu Quoc [Vietnam], July 11 (ANI): At least 15 people, including Indian tourists, were killed after a speedboat carrying 36 people capsized near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, according to Vietnamese newspaper VN Express.
According to VN Express, citing authorities in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, the speedboat, operated by Ocean Pear Island Company, was ferrying tourists from Hon May Rut Islet to An Thoi Port, about 25 kilometers from Phu Quoc Airport, when it overturned Saturday afternoon (local time), throwing everyone on board into the sea.
The report said nearby tourist boats rushed to the scene after spotting the capsized vessel.
A boat owner involved in the rescue operation said his vessel reached the site within about five minutes, but rescue efforts were hampered because several passengers were trapped inside the overturned boat, VN Express reported.
By late Saturday afternoon, rescuers had brought all 36 people on board safely to shore.
Twenty-one people survived, while 15 others—comprising two women and 13 men—were confirmed dead, according to VN Express.
The Embassy of India in Vietnam said that, according to information received from official sources, 32 Indian tourists were on board the boat that capsized near Phu Quoc Island.
“As per information received from official sources, the following 32 Indian tourists were onboard the boat which capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago,” the embassy said in a post on X.
The boat was also carrying three crew members and one flight attendant in addition to the 32 Indian tourists.
In an earlier post, the embassy confirmed the incident and announced that a control room had been established at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City to provide information and assistance to affected families.
“In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago. Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing,” the embassy said.
The embassy said the control room in Ho Chi Minh City can be reached at +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 3714, and +84 33 452 0414.
An additional control room has also been established in Hanoi and can be reached at +84 91 308 9165 for assistance and inquiries. (ANI)
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