15 Tourists Die as Speedboat Capsizes Off Vietnam

A speedboat carrying Indian tourists capsized in rough seas near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island off southern Vietnam on Saturday afternoon, killing 15 people. The vessel, operated by Ocean Pear Island Company, had left the island on an excursion toward An Thoi Port when it overturned around 1 p.m. local time about 400 meters from shore.

It carried 32 Indian tourists and four crew members. Twenty-one people were rescued, and all the dead were recovered, with the injured taken to hospitals. Border guard units deployed two vessels and 35 personnel, working with naval and coastguard teams to complete recoveries by afternoon.

A witness said the boat tipped over before traveling half a kilometer. A boat owner who arrived within five minutes said only a few people were brought out conscious. Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung ordered an investigation and directed authorities to hold those responsible accountable.

He also asked officials to review waterway and maritime safety in the area. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam opened emergency response centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and established a telephone hotline for affected families. Authorities in Telangana set up a control room to coordinate assistance.

The Tamil Nadu chief minister urged Indian authorities to provide help and ensure the bodies of those killed are returned quickly. Lava International confirmed that some of its employees and channel partners were on the tour. "Our immediate priority is to extend all possible support to those affected and their families," the company said.

The captain, in his 50s, had extensive experience operating passenger vessels, the company stated. Other tourist boats continued operating in the area despite the rough conditions. Vietnam welcomed about 750,000 Indian tourists in 2025, up nearly 50 percent from the previous year.