The bodies of 15 Indian tourists who died when a speedboat capsized off southern Vietnam have been returned to India. The flight carrying the remains departed from Ho Chi Minh City and was expected to arrive in Mumbai late Monday.
The speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members when it overturned near the shore on Saturday afternoon, shortly after departing from Hon May Rut Ngoai island, located near Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island. Authorities stated the boat's captain, Nguyen Hong Hai, 57, is under investigation for alleged violations of waterway transport safety regulations.
Ten of the deceased were from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, three were from Andhra Pradesh, and two were from Kerala. The group was on a company trip organized by Lava International, a manufacturer of smartphones and consumer electronics, for its employees, distributors, and retail partners.
The Indian Embassy in Hanoi previously reported that 16 survivors had been released from the hospital and were returning to India. One individual remained in critical condition in a Vietnamese hospital.
Hon May Rut island is situated approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Phu Quoc, a popular beach destination in Vietnam known for its white sandy beaches and clear waters, which attract millions of domestic and foreign tourists annually. India is recognized as one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing tourism markets.