HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — On Sunday, Vietnamese authorities detained Nguyen Hong Hai, the 57-year-old captain of a speedboat that tragically capsized off southern Vietnam, leading to the deaths of 15 Indian tourists. The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon as the speedboat was transporting 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members, just under half a kilometer from shore, shortly after departing from Hon May Rut Ngoai island, adjacent to Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island.
The investigation focuses on alleged violations of waterway transport safety regulations in connection with the incident. Sixteen survivors have since been released from hospitals and are preparing to return to India, according to the Indian Embassy in Hanoi. However, one survivor remains in critical condition. The victims' bodies are being transported to Ho Chi Minh City before being flown back to India after completing official protocols.
All victims were part of a company trip organized by Lava International, a smartphone and consumer electronics manufacturer from India. Eyewitness Ashish Kumar, a distributor for the company from Guntur, reported that the party had divided into three groups for their island travels. The first boat had already departed while the other two were still docked when the vessel capsized. Kumar described the harrowing scene as he and others screamed for help from the shore. Nearby boats responded quickly, but unfortunately, many were already too late.
According to Ha Van Loc, who was piloting a nearby boat during the incident, he saw the overturned speedboat at around 12:40 p.m. local time, with passengers clinging to the hull while others, lacking life jackets, struggled in the water amidst rough seas. Although he attempted to assist, the treacherous conditions made it difficult for larger boats to approach. Loc and his crew managed to rescue four survivors by throwing life buoys attached to ropes within ten minutes of discovering the capsized boat. He recorded a video of the scene to alert additional boat operators in the area, and soon multiple rescue teams arrived to assist.
The rough seas, with waves reaching up to 3 meters (10 feet), significantly hampered rescue efforts. Jet skis proved more effective in reaching survivors compared to larger boats, transporting them ashore one by one. Reports indicate that prior to departure, the captain had instructed passengers to wear life jackets, yet many chose to carry them instead. Once the speedboat turned over, some passengers found themselves trapped inside and had to escape through the bow or windows. Kumar noted that there was a lack of emergency medical care on shore for the survivors upon their return, necessitating tourists and tour staff to perform CPR and provide oxygen to the victims until additional medical help arrived.
The Indian Embassy reported that of the 15 deceased tourists, 10 were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala. This incident marks a tragic moment for a region that often welcomes hundreds of thousands of Indian tourists yearly, with Vietnam becoming increasingly popular due to its beautiful landscapes, beaches, and favorable travel policies. Hon May Rut island, located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Phu Quoc, attracts millions of both domestic and international tourists each year.
Officials attribute the surge in Indian tourists visiting Vietnam to the expanding network of direct flights between major cities in both countries and the Vietnamese government's liberal e-visa policy. This unfortunate incident, however, raises significant concerns about transport safety regulations in the region and underscores the importance of adhering strictly to safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
