Vietnam boat capsize: CM Naidu orders repatriation of 3 Andhra Pradesh victims
Synopsis
Fifteen Indian tourists died after a boat capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam during a company-organised leisure trip. Three of the dead are from Andhra Pradesh. CM Chandrababu Naidu has activated state machinery — from the RTGS Command Centre to AP Bhavan in New Delhi — to repatriate the mortal remains and support survivors, even as one injured AP resident remains hospitalised in Vietnam.
Key Takeaways
15 Indian tourists died after a boat carrying 32 passengers capsized near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam .
Three persons from Andhra Pradesh are among the deceased; a fourth, Gelle Kishore , is injured and receiving treatment at a government hospital in Vietnam.
Chandrababu Naidu directed officials on 12 July to expedite repatriation of mortal remains to victims' hometowns.
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam has appointed an agency to manage transportation of remains; the handover process has commenced.
Survivors are being flown home on Sunday, with flight tickets arranged by the mobile phone company that organised the trip.
The RTGS Command and Control Centre at the AP Secretariat is coordinating relief efforts round the clock with the Embassy, AP Bhavan, and APNRT.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday, 12 July directed officials to make swift arrangements to repatriate the mortal remains of three Andhra Pradesh residents who were among the 15 Indian tourists killed after a boat capsized near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. The tragedy unfolded during a leisure trip organised by a mobile phone company for the families of its cell phone distributors across India.
What Happened Near Phu Quoc Island
One of the tourist boats carrying the group met with an accident near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. The vessel was carrying 32 passengers, of whom 15 lost their lives. Three of the deceased were from Andhra Pradesh. Another person from the state, identified as Gelle Kishore, sustained serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Vietnam. According to officials, his health condition is gradually improving.
CM Naidu Reviews Relief and Repatriation Efforts
Chief Minister Naidu convened a review with officials to assess the assistance being extended to the victims and their families. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), he directed officials to coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam and ensure the swift return of mortal remains to the victims' hometowns. The Indian Embassy has reportedly appointed a specialised agency to manage the transportation of the mortal remains, and the handover process has already commenced.
The CM also directed officials at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan, New Delhi, to provide all necessary support until the affected individuals return safely to India and the repatriation process is fully completed. Arrangements have separately been made to fly the survivors back to their hometowns on Sunday, with the concerned mobile service provider having arranged the flight tickets.
State Machinery Mobilised Around the Clock
The Andhra Pradesh government stated it responded swiftly upon receiving news of the accident. Chief Minister Naidu, along with ministers Nara Lokesh and Vangalapudi Anitha, has been continuously monitoring the situation. Minister Nara Lokesh contacted officials at the Indian Embassy in Vietnam immediately after the incident to assess the ground situation and ensure relief measures were initiated without delay.
Lokesh also directed the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) to monitor the crisis around the clock. The RTGS Command and Control Centre at the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat has since been in continuous operation, coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, AP Bhavan in New Delhi, the Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRT), and relevant Vietnamese authorities to facilitate timely assistance to affected families.
Broader Context: Indian Tourists and Overseas Safety
This tragedy is among the deadliest incidents involving Indian tourists abroad in recent years. The boat trip was part of a company-organised incentive tour — a format increasingly common among corporate distributors — raising questions about safety protocols and the vetting of local operators for such group travel arrangements. Notably, the accident involved a single vessel carrying 32 passengers, a detail that may draw scrutiny over the boat's capacity and seaworthiness.
As the repatriation process moves forward, the families of the three deceased Andhra Pradesh residents await the return of their loved ones, while the state government has pledged continued coordination until every affected individual is safely home.
Point of View
Where companies organise overseas group tours for distributors with little apparent oversight of local operator safety standards. Fifteen deaths on a single leisure vessel is not a freak accident — it is a systemic failure waiting to be examined. While the Andhra Pradesh government's rapid activation of the RTGS machinery and Embassy coordination is commendable, the harder question is whether any central framework exists to vet the safety of foreign operators used by Indian companies for such trips. Until that gap is addressed, the next tragedy is a matter of when, not if.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Vietnam boat accident involving Indian tourists?
A tourist boat carrying 32 passengers capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam during a leisure trip organised by a mobile phone company for its cell phone distributors' families. Fifteen Indian tourists lost their lives, and several others were injured.
How many people from Andhra Pradesh were affected?
Three persons from Andhra Pradesh died in the accident. A fourth, Gelle Kishore, sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Vietnam, where his condition is reportedly improving.
What steps has CM Chandrababu Naidu taken in response?
CM Naidu directed officials on 12 July to coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam and expedite repatriation of the mortal remains. He also activated the RTGS Command and Control Centre for round-the-clock monitoring and instructed AP Bhavan in New Delhi to provide all necessary support to affected families.
When will the mortal remains be brought back to India?
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam has appointed an agency to transport the mortal remains, and the handover process has already begun as of 12 July. Survivors are being flown back to their hometowns on Sunday, with flight tickets arranged by the mobile phone company.
Who organised the trip, and what is known about the accident?
The trip was organised by a mobile phone company as a leisure tour for the families of its cell phone distributors in India. The boat, carrying 32 passengers, met with an accident near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam, resulting in 15 deaths.
