Vietnam boat tragedy: Telugu tourists to fly home from Hanoi on Sunday night
Synopsis
Fifteen Indians, including three from Andhra Pradesh, died when a tourist boat capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. Survivors have reached Hanoi and are boarding a flight to Hyderabad, while the mortal remains are being moved to Ho Chi Minh City for repatriation — a massive consular operation now under way.
Key Takeaways
All surviving Telugu tourists from the Phu Quoc Island boat accident have reached Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi .
The group departs Hanoi at 7.05 p.m. local time and is expected in Hyderabad by 10 p.m.
IST on Sunday, 12 July .
15 Indian nationals died in the accident; 3 were from Andhra Pradesh .
The boat was carrying 32 passengers on a company-organised leisure trip near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam .
Injured survivor Gelle Kishore remains hospitalised in Vietnam; his condition is reportedly improving.
Mortal remains are being transported to Ho Chi Minh City for repatriation to India at the earliest.
All Telugu tourists stranded on Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island following a deadly boat accident on Saturday, 12 July have safely reached Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, the Andhra Pradesh government confirmed on Sunday. The group is scheduled to depart Hanoi at 7.05 p.m. local time aboard a Vietnam Airlines flight and is expected to land in Hyderabad at approximately 10 p.m. IST.
The Accident and Its Toll
One of the tourist boats carrying the group met with an accident near Phu Quoc Island while on a leisure trip. The vessel was carrying 32 passengers, of whom 15 lost their lives — all Indian nationals. Among the deceased, three were from Andhra Pradesh. The trip had been organised by a mobile phone company for the families of its cell phone distributors from India.
One person from Andhra Pradesh, identified as Gelle Kishore, sustained serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Vietnam. According to officials who briefed Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Kishore's health condition is gradually improving.
Andhra Pradesh Government's Response
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday reviewed the assistance being extended to the victims with senior officials. He directed authorities to make swift arrangements to repatriate survivors to their hometowns. The Andhra Pradesh government, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, and Andhra Pradesh Bhavan, New Delhi have been providing round-the-clock consular, logistical, and repatriation support to those affected.
Repatriation of Mortal Remains
The mortal remains of the 15 Indian nationals who perished in the accident are being transported to Ho Chi Minh City, with arrival expected by Sunday evening, according to the Indian Embassy. After completion of requisite formalities at Ho Chi Minh City, the remains will be flown to India at the earliest. The Embassy and Consulate teams are closely coordinating with Vietnamese authorities, who have assured full cooperation for the expedited transportation, the Embassy said.
Consular Coordination
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam has been working in tandem with Vietnamese authorities since the accident occurred. Officials have assured that all procedural clearances will be fast-tracked to enable the earliest possible return of both the survivors and the mortal remains to India. This is among the most significant consular repatriation efforts involving Indian tourists in Southeast Asia in recent years.
Point of View
The harder question is regulatory — who clears these company-sponsored overseas trips, and what liability framework applies when they turn fatal? India has no centralised mechanism to track or vet such corporate group travel abroad, and this gap is likely to surface again unless addressed.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Vietnam boat accident near Phu Quoc Island?
A tourist boat carrying 32 passengers capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam on Saturday, 12 July, killing 15 Indian nationals and injuring others. The trip was organised by a mobile phone company for the families of its cell phone distributors from India.
How many people from Andhra Pradesh died in the Vietnam boat tragedy?
Three people from Andhra Pradesh were among the 15 Indians who died in the Phu Quoc boat accident. One other person from Andhra Pradesh, Gelle Kishore, sustained serious injuries and is receiving treatment at a government hospital in Vietnam.
When will the Telugu tourists return to Hyderabad?
The survivors departed Hanoi on a Vietnam Airlines flight at 7.05 p.m. local time on Sunday, 12 July, and are expected to arrive in Hyderabad at approximately 10 p.m. IST the same night.
What is the status of the mortal remains of the 15 Indians who died?
The mortal remains are being transported to Ho Chi Minh City, with arrival expected by Sunday evening. After completion of formalities there, they will be flown to India at the earliest, with the Indian Embassy coordinating closely with Vietnamese authorities.
What steps has the Andhra Pradesh government taken after the Vietnam boat accident?
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation with officials on Sunday and directed swift repatriation arrangements. The Andhra Pradesh government, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, and Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi have been providing round-the-clock consular, logistical, and repatriation support to those affected.
