Phu Quoc boat capsize kills 15 Indian tourists, 21 rescued
Synopsis
At least 15 Indian tourists are dead after a speedboat malfunctioned and capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam on 11 July. With 32 tourists aboard and rescue operations still underway, the Indian Embassy has activated emergency Control Rooms in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City — one of the deadliest incidents involving Indian travellers abroad in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai island , Phu Quoc , Vietnam, on 11 July around 1 PM local time .
15 people died — 2 women and 13 men — according to the An Thoi Port Border Guard Station .
21 survivors were rescued and taken to medical facilities for emergency treatment.
The speedboat was operated by Ocean Pear Island Company and reportedly malfunctioned unexpectedly.
The Embassy of India in Hanoi has set up Control Rooms in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for affected families.
Vietnamese authorities deployed 35 officers and soldiers across two vessels for search and rescue operations.
A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai island, off Phu Quoc in southern Vietnam, on Saturday, 11 July, killing at least 15 people and leaving 21 others requiring emergency medical care. The Embassy of India in Hanoi confirmed the incident and said search and rescue operations by local Vietnamese authorities were ongoing as exact details continued to be ascertained.
What Happened
According to Vietnamese outlet VnExpress, citing Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone authorities, a speedboat operated by Ocean Pear Island Company unexpectedly malfunctioned and capsized around 1 PM local time. The vessel was carrying 32 Indian tourists, one flight attendant, and four crew members at the time of the incident. Several nearby tourist boats responded immediately upon spotting the distressed vessel and assisted in the rescue effort.
Casualties and Rescue Operations
The An Thoi Port Border Guard Station confirmed that 15 people died — including two women and 13 men. The 21 survivors were transported to various medical facilities for emergency treatment. The Guard Station deployed two vessels carrying 35 officers and soldiers to coordinate search and rescue efforts alongside the navy and coast guard.
Indian Embassy Response
'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 of India in Hanoi stated in a post on X.
To assist affected families, a Control Room has been established at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City. A second Control Room has also been set up at the Indian Embassy in Hanoi. Families seeking information or assistance are urged to contact these facilities.
About the Location
Hon May Rut Ngoai island, part of the Phu Quoc archipelago, is a popular destination known for coral reef diving. Visitors typically reach the island by boat or speedboat, a journey of approximately 20 to 40 minutes from the mainland. The route is frequented by tourist operators catering to both domestic and international visitors, including a growing number of Indian travellers.
What Happens Next
Vietnamese authorities are continuing search and rescue operations to account for all passengers. The Indian government is monitoring the situation closely through its diplomatic missions. Families of those aboard are advised to contact the Control Rooms in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi for updates. A full investigation into the cause of the malfunction is expected to be launched by Vietnamese maritime authorities.
Point of View
Where rapid tourism growth has often outpaced regulatory enforcement. Vietnam's Phu Quoc has seen a surge in Indian visitors in recent years, yet maritime safety checks on private speedboat operators remain inconsistently enforced. The Indian government's swift activation of Control Rooms is the right first step, but the deeper question — whether Indian travel advisories and tour operators adequately vet maritime safety standards abroad — will demand scrutiny once the immediate crisis is managed. Fifteen deaths on a leisure boat is not an anomaly; it is a pattern that demands bilateral accountability.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Indian tourists near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam?
A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai island off Phu Quoc, Vietnam, on 11 July after reportedly malfunctioning around 1 PM local time. At least 15 people were killed and 21 survivors were taken to medical facilities.
How many Indian tourists died in the Vietnam boat accident?
According to the An Thoi Port Border Guard Station, 15 people died — 2 women and 13 men. The remaining 21 passengers were rescued and are receiving emergency medical treatment.
What is the Indian government doing to help affected families?
The Embassy of India in Hanoi has set up Control Rooms at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City and at the Indian Embassy in Hanoi to provide information and assistance to families of those involved in the incident.
Who operated the boat that capsized near Phu Quoc?
The speedboat was operated by Ocean Pear Island Company, according to Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone authorities cited by VnExpress. The vessel reportedly malfunctioned unexpectedly before capsizing.
Where exactly did the Phu Quoc boat capsize occur?
The incident occurred near Hon May Rut Ngoai island in the Phu Quoc archipelago, a popular coral reef diving destination in southern Vietnam. The island is typically a 20-to-40-minute speedboat ride from the mainland.
