Hanoi/New Delhi, 12 July (H.S.): Fifteen Indian tourists, including 10 from Tamil Nadu, were killed after a speedboat carrying Indian visitors capsized near Vietnam's popular tourist destination of Phu Quoc Island on Saturday. Twenty-three other people were rescued and are undergoing treatment at local hospitals.

According to available information, the speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists along with crew members when the accident occurred at around 1:00 p.m. local time near Phu Quoc Island. Following the incident, Vietnam's Border Guard, Navy, Coast Guard and other agencies launched a large-scale joint search and rescue operation. Two rescue boats and 35 personnel were deployed as part of the operation.

Among those who lost their lives were 10 tourists from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala.

Vietnam Orders Investigation

Following the tragedy, the Vietnamese government ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the accident and directed authorities to expedite relief and rescue operations. The government also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with the Embassy of India and other relevant agencies to provide immediate consular assistance to the affected Indian nationals and their families.

PM Modi Expresses Deep Grief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy in a post on X.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured, the Prime Minister said.

He added that the Embassy of India and the Consulate General of India were extending every possible assistance to the affected Indian nationals and that Indian officials were in constant touch with the Vietnamese authorities.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences over the tragedy and urged the Ministry of External Affairs to work closely with the Vietnamese government to ensure all possible assistance for the affected families.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed grief over the incident and said the Embassy of India in Vietnam was providing every possible assistance to the affected Indian citizens and their families.

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the accident.

Embassy Issues Helpline Numbers

The Embassy of India in Hanoi and the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City have established dedicated control rooms to assist those affected by the tragedy.

Ho Chi Minh City Helplines:

+84 36 281 7930

+84 91 552 3714

+84 33 452 0414

Hanoi Helpline:

+84 91 308 9165

In addition, the Telangana Government's NRI Department has also set up a control room to assist affected families. The helpline numbers are: 9885371189, 7997959754, 9989654807 and 7997959779.

The Embassy of India said that the list of all 32 Indian tourists involved in the accident, including those who lost their lives, is being shared with the concerned families and authorities. The governments of India and Vietnam are working closely to provide relief, consular assistance and conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar