Kollam, 12 July (H.S.):Grief engulfed Kerala's business community on Sunday as relatives, employees and well-wishers mourned the death of Victory Group owner A.C. Thomas (57) and his wife Loveni (56), who were among the Indian tourists killed when a speedboat capsized off Vietnam's Phu Quoc island. The couple's sudden death has left employees, business associates and residents of their hometown in Kottarakkara in deep shock.
The couple, who had travelled to Vietnam as part of a sponsored overseas tour, were expected to return home on Monday. Their family, friends and staff had been eagerly awaiting their arrival when news of the tragedy reached Kerala, leaving many struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Employees described Thomas, affectionately known as Achayan, as a compassionate employer who treated everyone in the organisation like members of his own family. They said his leadership and generosity had helped transform the family business into one of the region's well-known enterprises.
The deaths have also cast a shadow over Kottarakkara, where the family has lived for many years and is widely respected for its business achievements and charitable nature. Local residents said the tragedy had deeply saddened the entire community.
Shaaji A., who has worked with Victory Group for the past 30 years, said the loss was impossible to accept.
We have suffered an irreparable loss. The entire family was known for helping others and never treated employees as just staff. They considered us part of their family, he said.
Recalling his last conversation with Thomas, Shaaji said, Achayan called me yesterday and said he would be back tomorrow. I am still in shock after hearing about the accident.
According to him, Thomas managed the group's medicine distribution business while Loveni headed its mobile phone distribution division. The couple frequently travelled abroad on sponsored business tours, and this trip had been organised by a mobile phone company. They had left Kerala by train from Kollam to Chennai last Saturday before flying to Vietnam.
Shaaji said Victory Group had humble beginnings nearly five decades ago when Thomas's father, A.V. Cherian, started a retail medical shop. The business later expanded into wholesale pharmaceutical distribution and diversified into other sectors under Thomas's leadership.
Thomas's son, A.T. Cherian, is now actively involved in managing the business. The couple is also survived by their daughter, Susan Sarah Thomas, who lives in Ranni with her husband.
We have been informed that the bodies are expected to arrive on Monday night. So far, we have not received any official information about the exact cause of the accident. We only know what we have seen in the television videos, Shaaji said.
Ward member Ajayan said the family was well known in Kottarakkara and their deaths had come as a major shock to local residents.
According to Vietnamese media reports, 15 Indian tourists were killed after a speedboat operated by Minh Huy Phu Quoc Trading Tourism Co. capsized about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai island in the An Thoi archipelago near Phu Quoc. The vessel was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members.
Television footage from the accident site showed rough seas and strong winds as rescue personnel threw life buoys into the water and used jet skis to bring survivors to safety. Emergency responders were also seen providing first aid to several victims, including some who were unconscious.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has ordered an investigation into the tragedy. Bui Quoc Thai, Director of An Giang Province's Department of Tourism, said an initial report had been submitted to the Prime Minister and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, Sports and Tourism, according to Vietnamese media.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
