Fifteen Indian tourists drowned when their speedboat capsized in the waters off southern Vietnam on Saturday, July 11, overturning less than a third of a mile from shore as terrified passengers cried out for rescue that arrived too late for many aboard.
The vessel had been carrying 32 tourists from India and four crew members when it flipped Saturday afternoon shortly after departing Hon May Rut Ngoai island near Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, authorities said. The tourists had been on an island-hopping day trip between two islands famed for their white-sand beaches and clear waters when disaster struck.
Ashish Kumar, an Indian who witnessed the accident, described a scene that unraveled with brutal speed. He told The Associated Press over the phone that the boat had barely traveled any distance before it tipped over, and that survivors screamed for help. Nearby boats immediately rushed to the rescue, he said, “but by then it was too late.”
Chaos in Choppy Waters
The boat overturned around 1 p.m., roughly 1,310 feet from Hon May Rut island. Nearby tourist boats raced toward the capsized vessel after spotting it, and crew members pulled passengers from the water. One boat owner who arrived approximately five minutes after the capsizing reported that only a few survivors were conscious when rescued. The turbulent water conditions and numerous victims trapped below deck significantly hindered rescue operations.
Strong winds and waves battered the rescue boats. Witnesses said some passengers were trapped inside the overturned hull. Footage broadcast on Vietnamese television showed rough seas and gusting winds as rescue teams hurled life buoys to people struggling in the water. Jet skis ferried survivors back to the beach, where onlookers provided first aid.
Border guards and the navy eventually saved 21 people. But 15 others — two women and 13 men — were confirmed dead. All of the bodies were recovered, and the injured were taken to hospitals. Kumar said there was no emergency medical care available on the shore when survivors were first brought back, a detail that underscored how quickly the ordinary rhythms of a holiday collapsed into tragedy.
The cause of the capsizing remains unclear, and investigators have opened a probe into the incident. Vietnam police detained the captain of the speedboat in the aftermath.
A Company Trip Turned Fatal
At least some of the passengers were on a corporate tour organized by their employer, a maker of smartphones and other electronics. Kumar said three of his friends were on the boat. Two of them died, he said, and the third was reported to be in critical condition.
Lava International, which manufactures smartphones and consumer electronics in India, reported that several of its staff members and business partners were victims of the incident. The company said its immediate priority was to extend all possible support to those affected and their families. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the passengers had been participating in an annual corporate gathering organized by a mobile phone manufacturer.
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam said the 15 who died came from three southern states: 10 from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala.
Governments Move to Respond
Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung launched an investigation and instructed officials to ensure accountability for the disaster. He further called for a comprehensive assessment of maritime and waterway safety protocols throughout the region.
Modi offered his sympathies to the victims’ families and announced on social media that Indian Embassy personnel were delivering comprehensive support, adding that embassy officials were on the scene. The embassy in Vietnam described the incident as “tragic” and said the exact details were still being ascertained as local search and rescue operations continued. It launched two control rooms to help families and loved ones affected by the disaster.
Authorities in Telangana set up a control room to coordinate assistance and pass information to grieving families. The Tamil Nadu chief minister urged Indian authorities to help the victims and to ensure that the bodies of those killed are returned home as soon as possible.
A Booming Destination Shaken
Phu Quoc, in the Gulf of Thailand, ranks among Vietnam’s most popular beach destinations. Hon May Rut island lies about six miles south of it. The islands are renowned for pristine coastlines and transparent tropical waters, attracting countless visitors from Vietnam and abroad annually.
Vietnam has experienced remarkable growth in Indian tourism, welcoming roughly 750,000 Indian visitors in 2025, representing nearly a 50% increase over 2024. Experts credit this boom to improved air connectivity linking key cities in both nations and to simplified visa regulations — factors that have made trips like Saturday’s outing increasingly common, and made the loss of life all the more wrenching.
