Vietnam boat tragedy: 15 Indians dead as speedboat capsizes off Phu Quoc Island
Synopsis
A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists capsized off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island on 11 July, killing 15 people in one of the worst overseas tragedies involving Indian tourists in recent memory. Among the dead: a Kerala industrialist and his wife who set out on a holiday and never returned.
Key Takeaways
A tourist speedboat capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island , Vietnam , on 11 July , killing 15 Indian tourists .
Thomas (57) and his wife Loveni Thomas (56) of Kottarakkara, Kollam , Kerala, are among the confirmed dead.
The vessel, operated by Ocean Pier Island Company , capsized 400 metres into its return journey to An Thoi Port .
21 of 36 passengers were rescued; several survivors remain hospitalised in critical condition.
PM Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi expressed condolences; the Embassy of India in Vietnam is coordinating repatriation.
Satheesan directed NORKA CEO Ajith Kolassery to liaise with the Vietnamese Embassy for victim details.
A tourist speedboat carrying 36 people capsized off Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam on Saturday, 11 July, killing 15 Indian tourists and leaving several others hospitalised in critical condition. Among the dead were A.C. Thomas (57), owner of the Victory Group of Industries, and his wife Loveni Thomas (56), both natives of Kottarakkara in Kollam district, Kerala — turning what was meant to be a dream holiday into a devastating tragedy.
How the Accident Unfolded
The speedboat, operated by Ocean Pier Island Company, overturned at approximately 1 pm local time near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, barely 400 metres into its return voyage from the island to An Thoi Port. Preliminary reports indicate the vessel encountered strong winds and turbulent seas before capsizing.
Of the 36 people on board — 32 Indian tourists and 4 crew members — 21 passengers were rescued with assistance from nearby boats and Vietnamese emergency teams. The remaining 15 Indian tourists did not survive. The deceased included travellers from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala.
Rescue and Emergency Response
Vietnamese authorities launched a large-scale rescue operation immediately after the capsizing, deploying military units, police, and civilian emergency responders. Several survivors remain hospitalised, with some reported to be in critical condition as of the latest updates.
This is one of the worst overseas tragedies involving Indian tourists in recent years, raising urgent questions about safety standards on tourist watercraft at popular Southeast Asian destinations.
What the Indian Government Said
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and confirmed that Indian officials were coordinating with Vietnamese authorities to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured and to expedite emergency assistance and legal formalities.
Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
The Embassy of India in Vietnam, along with control rooms in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is working closely with Vietnamese authorities to facilitate repatriation of the bodies and provide assistance to the injured.
Kerala Government Steps In
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan directed NORKA CEO Ajith Kolassery to establish contact with the Vietnamese Embassy and gather detailed information about victims and survivors. The Chief Minister's Office is in constant contact with the Ministry of External Affairs, while Resident Commissioner Puneet Kumar of Kerala House has been tasked with coordinating follow-up action.
The deaths of the Kottarakkara couple have sent shockwaves through their hometown and the wider business community in Kerala. As repatriation efforts continue, the focus now shifts to accountability — and to the families still waiting for answers.
Point of View
And Indian tourists, increasingly the region's largest visitor bloc, bear a disproportionate share of the risk. The fact that a vessel capsized barely 400 metres into its return journey points to operational failure, not just weather misfortune. India's diplomatic response has been swift in language but the harder question — whether the government will push Vietnam for a formal safety audit of tourist watercraft — remains unanswered. For the families of 15 people who left for a holiday and did not return, condolences are not enough.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Vietnam boat accident on 11 July 2025?
A tourist speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and 4 crew members capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island off Phu Quoc, Vietnam, on 11 July, killing 15 Indian tourists. The vessel overturned in rough seas approximately 400 metres into its return journey to An Thoi Port.
Who are the Kerala victims in the Vietnam boat tragedy?
The confirmed Kerala victims are A.C. Thomas (57), owner of the Victory Group of Industries, and his wife Loveni Thomas (56), both from Kottarakkara in Kollam district. Their deaths were confirmed by authorities and have sent shockwaves through their hometown.
How many people were rescued from the Vietnam boat capsize?
21 of the 36 people on board were rescued with the help of nearby boats and Vietnamese rescue teams. Several survivors remain hospitalised, with some reported to be in critical condition.
What is the Indian government doing after the Vietnam boat accident?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and confirmed coordination with Vietnamese authorities for treatment of the injured and repatriation of the deceased. The Embassy of India in Vietnam, with control rooms in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is facilitating repatriation and assisting affected families.
Which Indian states were the victims from?
The 15 deceased Indian tourists included travellers from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, according to reports. The Kerala government has separately activated NORKA and the Chief Minister's Office to assist bereaved families.
