Speedboat capsizes off Vietnam, killing 15 tourists; police detain captain
Wertynews.com – Authorities in Vietnam arrested the captain of a speedboat that overturned near the southern coast, resulting in the deaths of 15 Indian tourists. The incident occurred less than half a kilometer from shore on Saturday afternoon, shortly after the vessel departed Hon May Rut Ngoai island close to Phu Quoc, the country’s largest island, according to officials.
Survivors and Investigation
Seventeen individuals were injured in the accident, with 16 survivors discharged from the hospital and returning to India. The Indian Embassy in Hanoi shared this update on social media. One victim remains in critical condition at a Vietnamese hospital. The deceased’s bodies are being transported to Ho Chi Minh City before being flown to India following official procedures.
The Vietnamese government reported that initial assessments suggest the accident was unavoidable due to sudden weather changes. State media noted that sailors involved in the rescue described high waves but no rain at the time, while other tourist boats continued operations nearby.
Rescue Challenges
Ha Van Loc, operating a nearby vessel, spotted the overturned boat at around 12:40 p.m. local time. He observed about a dozen people clinging to the hull and others in the water without life jackets.
“They were being submerged by the waves but still waving for help,” Loc said.
Rough seas, with waves reaching up to 10 feet, made rescue efforts difficult. Loc and his crew managed to pull four survivors aboard within 10 minutes using life buoys. After recording a video, he alerted other boat operators, leading to the arrival of nearly a dozen vessels and rescue teams at the scene.
Company Trip and Eyewitness Account
The 15 victims were on a company trip organized by Lava International, an Indian consumer electronics company, for its employees and partners. Ashish Kumar, a distributor from Guntur, recounted witnessing the accident as the group split into three teams while traveling between islands. He noted the first boat had already departed while the other two were still docked when the capsizing occurred.
“We screamed, ‘Help! Help!’” Kumar said over the phone. “But by then it was too late.”
The boat flipped near the shore, trapping some passengers inside who had to escape through the bow or windows.
Impact on Tourism
Following the incident, several tourism companies suspended speedboat services between the islets. Hon May Rut island, located six miles south of Phu Quoc—a popular Vietnamese beach destination—has drawn significant attention. Both islands are renowned for their white sands and clear waters, welcoming millions of domestic and international visitors yearly. India has become a key market for Vietnamese tourism, with over 750,000 Indian tourists recorded in 2025, reflecting a nearly 50% rise from the previous year.
