A boat carrying several Indian tourists capsized near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation by Vietnamese authorities. The exact number of passengers on board and the extent of casualties or injuries were not immediately known.
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam confirmed the incident in a statement, saying local authorities had launched rescue efforts soon after the boat overturned.
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“In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago. The exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing,” the embassy said.
To assist those affected and their families, the embassy has established dedicated control rooms at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City and at the Embassy of India in Hanoi. Officials said the control rooms would coordinate with Vietnamese authorities, provide updates to relatives and facilitate any assistance required by Indian nationals.
The embassy said it was closely monitoring developments and remained in constant touch with local agencies involved in the rescue operation. Officials are also working to verify the identities of the passengers and determine the circumstances that led to the accident.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island located in the Gulf of Thailand, is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations and attracts thousands of international visitors every year, including a growing number of Indian travellers.
Authorities are yet to disclose the cause of the accident. Weather conditions, technical issues or other factors have not been officially cited, and an investigation is expected once rescue operations are completed.
The Ministry of External Affairs has not issued a separate statement so far. More details, including the number of tourists rescued and the condition of those on board, are expected as Vietnamese authorities continue search and rescue efforts.
