Published Jul 11, 2026 | 3:44 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 11, 2026 | 11:18 PM
Boat carrying Indian tourists capsizes near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. (Screengrab/ X)
Synopsis: The boat was transporting the tourists from Mon May Rut to An Thoi Port, about 25 km from the Phu Quoc airport, when it capsized, throwing everyone on board into the sea. Other vessels rushed to assist, but many tourists were reportedly trapped inside the overturned boat.
Over a dozen Indians, most of them from South India, were feared killed when a boat capsized in one of the largest islands of Vietnam on Saturday, 11 July.
Preliminary reports suggested that there were 32 people on board when the speedboat capsized near Hon May Rut in Phu Quoc Island.
The Indian Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, confirmed the deaths of 15 Indian nationals, including two women. A list the embassy provided said 10 of the deceased people were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala.
The Indian Embassy confirmed 15 deaths.
Earlier, the Embassy had released a list of 32 missing tourists. Most of them were reportedly from Tamil Nadu, particularly from the districts of Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Dharmapuri, and Salem.
The boat was transporting the tourists from Mon May Rut to An Thoi Port, about 25 km from the Phu Quoc airport, when it capsized throwing everyone on board into the sea. Other vessels rushed to assist but many tourists were reportedly caught inside the overturned boat.
Information gathered from Indian sources revealed that a mobile company took more than 200 of its distributors on a trip to Vietnam. Over 50 of them were from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The Embassy of India in Hanoi put out a statement confirming that the boat had capsized but said exact details are being ascertained as search and rescue operations are continuing.
A control room at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City has been set up to aid the affected families.
Emergency contact numbers:
+84 36 281 7930
+84 91 552 37 14
+84 33 452 0414
It is with profound grief that we share the list of 15 Indian nationals who have lost their lives in the tragic boat accident near Phuc Quoc Island today. The list has been recieved from the Vietnamese authorities.
Our prayers are with the families of the deceased.
The Embassy… pic.twitter.com/2fr2TjXuPp
— India in Vietnam (@AmbHanoi) July 11, 2026
The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday said it has initiated efforts to assist Tamil tourists affected in the boat accident near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island in Vietnam.
Earlier, Indian Embassy released a list of missing Indian nationals.
According to an official release from the Department of Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils, a tourist boat carrying Indian visitors from Vietnam’s An Thoi sea region to Hon May Rut Ngoai Island met with an accident at around 10.30 am (local time) on 11 July.
A total of 32 Indian tourists and boat crew members fell into the sea.
Nearby tourist boats immediately launched rescue operations. So far, 18 tourists have been rescued in critical condition and admitted to hospital intensive care units. Authorities said there are reports that some of the injured may have succumbed to their injuries.
Following the incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay directed officials of the Department of Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils and Rehabilitation to obtain details of the affected Tamil tourists and ensure that all necessary assistance is provided.
As an immediate measure, the Tamil Nadu government has contacted the Embassy of India in Vietnam, requesting it to rescue the affected Tamil tourists and facilitate all necessary support for their safe return to India.
To assist the families of those affected, a control room has been set up at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City.
The government also said that an additional control room has been established in Hanoi to coordinate assistance.
Saddened by the news of a boat accident in Vietnam in which many Indian nationals lost their lives. My deep condolences to the grieving families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 11, 2026
A couple from Kerala’s Kollam district were among the 15 Indian tourists who lost their lives in Vietnam.
The victims were identified as AC Thomas (57) and his wife, Lovely (56), natives of Kizhakkekara near Kottarakkara Market in the Kollam district.
The couple had travelled to Vietnam as part of a group tour that began on 7 July.
According to their family, they had been in regular contact and last spoke to relatives on the morning of Friday, 10 July.
Vietnamese authorities later confirmed that the couple was among those who died in the accident, which claimed the lives of 15 Indian nationals.
Kerala Minister Bindu Krishna visited the residence of the couple of Saturday.
In a statement, the Indian Embassy expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, saying it had received the official list of the deceased from the Vietnamese authorities.
The Embassy extended its condolences to the bereaved families and said it, along with the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, remains available to provide all necessary assistance.
Following confirmation of the deaths, the state government swung into action.
The Chief Minister’s Office said Chief Minister VD Satheesan has directed the Chief Executive Officer of NoRKA to gather detailed information about the incident involving the two Malayalis.
The state government is also coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Resident Commissioner at Kerala House in New Delhi has been instructed to work closely with the Centre and facilitate the necessary follow-up measures.
Meanwhile, the Kollam District Collector and the District Police Chief have been officially informed and asked to extend all required support to the family and coordinate the procedures related to the tragedy.
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.
In order to provide information…
— India in Vietnam (@AmbHanoi) July 11, 2026
