The Embassy of India in Vietnam has initiated the process of repatriating the mortal remains of those killed in the tourist boat tragedy near Phu Quoc Island, while one injured survivor continues to recover. The rescued tourists are scheduled to return to India on Sunday.
According to an official update issued at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Gelle Kishore, who survived the accident, is undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Vietnam and is recovering steadily.
The Indian Embassy has finalised the agency that will facilitate the repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased. Officials confirmed that the repatriation process is now underway.
The authorised agency is expected to contact the bereaved families on Sunday to obtain the necessary authorisation required for the release and transportation of the mortal remains to India.
Meanwhile, the tourists rescued after the accident are scheduled to board flights on Sunday to return to their respective hometowns. Flight tickets for their journey have been arranged by the concerned mobile service provider.
Officials said Team Andhra Pradesh Bhavan continues to coordinate closely with the Indian Embassy and is monitoring the situation to provide all necessary assistance until the safe return of the affected persons and the completion of the repatriation process.
The tragedy claimed the lives of 15 people, including 10 tourists from Tamil Nadu, after a tourist boat carrying Indian visitors capsized off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, turning what was intended to be a reward trip into a devastating accident.
According to preliminary reports, the boat was carrying around 32 Indian tourists, including 17 from Tamil Nadu, while the remaining passengers were from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala. The vessel reportedly overturned while cruising in waters south of Phu Quoc, a popular tourist destination in southern Vietnam.
The exact cause of the accident has not yet been officially disclosed. Vietnamese authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the boat capsizing.
Soon after the incident, rescue teams, local residents and emergency personnel rushed to the scene and launched a large-scale rescue operation. Several passengers were pulled from the water, while rescuers administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to those found unconscious in an attempt to save their lives.
Despite the swift emergency response, authorities confirmed that 15 people lost their lives, while the survivors were rescued and provided medical assistance. Indian authorities, in coordination with the Embassy in Vietnam, continue to oversee relief measures and arrangements for the victims' families as the repatriation process progresses.
A chilling new detail has emerged in the tragic speedboat accident off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island, with a video reportedly showing several passengers holding life jackets instead of wearing them moments before the vessel capsized.
A video shared on social media platform X by historian and journalist NGO-SUGAR (@ngosugartp) appears to show several passengers holding life jackets instead of wearing them. The footage surfaced after the tragedy, with many users pointing to it as a possible factor that may have affected the passengers' chances of survival. However, The Free Press Journal has not independently verified the authenticity of the video or the claims made in connection with it.
The tragedy occurred on July 11, around 400 metres off the coast near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, close to the popular tourist destination of Phu Quoc. The speedboat, carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members, overturned during its return journey after reportedly encountering rough sea conditions.
According to NGO-SUGAR (@ngosugartp), citing survivor accounts, the 32 Indian tourists were colleagues working for a mobile-device manufacturing company headquartered in Uttar Pradesh. The group was on a recreational outing when the speedboat encountered strong winds and high waves.
Survivors reportedly told authorities that the boat's captain had instructed all passengers to wear life jackets before departure. However, many allegedly kept the jackets in their hands instead of fastening them securely around their bodies.
According to the latest official update, all 36 people on board, including 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members, have been accounted for. The accident claimed the lives of 15 Indian nationals, including 13 men and two women, while 21 people survived.
Several survivors were admitted to hospitals for emergency treatment and are reported to be in stable condition. The Indian Embassy in Hanoi has released the passenger list of the 32 Indian tourists and said it is working closely with Vietnamese authorities to verify the condition of every passenger, assist in victim identification, support affected families, and facilitate repatriation. The embassy added that further updates will be shared as official confirmations become available.
