A speedboat capsizing near Phu Quoc Island claimed 15 lives, including ten from Tamil Nadu, and left many injured. Survivors recount how rough seas, a sudden turn, and inadequate medical aid turned a routine trip into a nightmare.
Key Takeaways
- A speedboat capsized near Phu Quoc Island, killing 15 people.
- Rough waters and a sharp turn caused the vessel to lose balance, trapping passengers.
- Lack of on‑site medical personnel and oxygen cylinders worsened the casualty count.
A speedboat departing from Vietnam's Hòn Mây Rút Ngoài island with 32 Indian passengers and four crew members capsized within minutes, leaving 15 dead—including ten from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala. The bodies are slated to arrive in India on Monday, intensifying the grief of families awaiting closure.
First‑hand Accounts from Survivors
Survivor S. Nirmalkumar of Palani described the moments leading up to the disaster. "It was around noon; lunch was planned on a nearby island, and everyone wore life jackets. The sea was rough, and the boat felt overloaded. When the operator made a sharp turn, the vessel tilted, the weight shifted entirely to one side, and the boat turned upside down. This all happened within three minutes of departure, only about 300 metres from shore," he recounted.
He added that he and other front‑deck passengers leapt into the water immediately, while those seated at the rear were trapped as the boat flipped. His close friend Murugaprabhu, seated at the back, could not escape.
Medical Shortfalls Exacerbated the Crisis
Another survivor, 51‑year‑old Ramasubbu, emphasized the dire lack of medical support. "When the boat turned, people on one side fell onto the other, increasing the imbalance. Some rescued from under the hull were still alive, but there were only one or two doctors on the shore and just a couple of oxygen cylinders. By the time the critical patients reached the hospital, they had already passed away," he said.
Official Response and Future Safeguards
The tragedy has prompted calls for stricter safety protocols for Indian tourists abroad. Experts argue for mandatory life‑jacket compliance, real‑time weather monitoring, and robust on‑site medical teams for maritime excursions. The Indian Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of External Affairs are expected to review existing agreements with foreign operators to prevent a repeat of such incidents.
As the nation mourns, the incident underscores the urgent need for better emergency preparedness and cross‑border cooperation in ensuring the safety of Indian travelers.
