A high‑speed vessel returning from Hon May Rut Island to An Thoi Port capsized on Saturday near Vietnam’s southern island of Phu Quoc, claiming the lives of 15 Indian tourists. Local media reported the incident occurred around 1 p.m., roughly 25 km from Phu Quoc International Airport.

Incident Details

According to Vietnam’s VN Express, the boat was carrying 36 people – 32 Indian tourists, three crew members and one attendant – when it overturned about 400 metres off May Rut Ngoai islet. Nearby vessels rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the water, while border guards, navy, coast guard and other rescue agencies arrived later.

Casualties and Survivors

Twenty‑one passengers survived and were taken to hospital for emergency treatment, with two in critical condition. All 15 fatalities were foreign nationals, confirming the tragic loss of the Indian contingent.

India’s Emergency Response

India’s embassy in Vietnam confirmed the presence of Indian tourists on the vessel and said officials were coordinating with Vietnamese authorities. Emergency response centres have been set up in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist victims and families, and the names of the deceased have been released.

Probable Causes

Provincial Communist Party official Nguyen Tien Hai indicated that heavy winds and high waves were likely responsible for the capsizing. Vietnamese state media also reported rough sea conditions at the time, echoing past maritime incidents in the region, such as the 2025 Ha Long Bay disaster that claimed 39 lives.

Impact on Tourism

Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, welcomed 5.7 million visitors in the first half of 2026, including 1.32 million foreign tourists. The tragedy underscores the need for stricter safety protocols for island‑hopping tours, especially in areas prone to sudden weather changes.