Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam – On July 12, a speedboat carrying 36 people overturned about 400 metres from May Rut Ngoai Islet, leaving 15 Indian nationals dead. The Indian Embassy in Hanoi published a list of 32 Indian passengers and a separate register of the deceased.

What Happened?

Survivor Nirmal Kumar, a Tamil Nadu resident, recounted that “about 20 of us managed to escape, while the rest drowned. I really don’t know how we survived.” The vessel was part of an incentive trip for distributors and sales partners of Lava Mobile, who had left India on July 8 after meeting sales targets.

Safety Measures and Rescue Operations

According to Kumar, every passenger wore a life jacket and followed the operator’s safety briefing. Tourist boats nearby rushed to the scene within minutes, but several occupants remained trapped inside the capsized hull, complicating rescue efforts. Vietnamese police recorded his statement and are continuing investigations.

Victims’ Background

The death toll includes ten people from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala. Among the Kerala victims were 57‑year‑old A C Thomas and his 56‑year‑old wife Loveny, senior distributors for Lava Mobile in South Kerala. Families across three Indian states are mourning, and the embassy is coordinating the repatriation of the bodies.

Government Response and Wider Implications

Kerala’s Chief Minister’s Office has tasked the Non‑Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) department with liaison duties, while Tamil Nadu officials have pledged assistance to the bereaved families. The tragedy spotlights gaps in maritime safety oversight for tourist excursions abroad and raises questions about passenger‑capacity limits on small vessels.