Phu Quoc Boat Accident: “The boat had hardly left the island, we were all screaming for help…”: How a dream holiday near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc ended in tragedy
What was meant to be a memorable island vacation turned into a nightmare for Indian travellers abroad. A tragedy hit on July 11 when a tourist speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members capsized shortly after departing from May Rut Island, a small tropical island off Vietnam’s famous Phu Quoc Island. As per local authorities, the accident claimed the lives of at least 15 Indian nationals while 21 people were rescued. In a recent update, Vietnamese authorities have launched an investigation to find what might have happened. Victims hailed from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and KeralaOn Saturday, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam released the names of the 15 Indian nationals who lost their lives near Phu Quoc Island. All the victims were from South Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala.Among the survivors was a tourist from Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur. Talking to PTI, he described the accident. “The incident happened around 1:30 pm local time. The boat had gone barely 300 to 400 metres when it tipped over. We were taking pictures and it happened before we could react,” he recalled“We were all screaming for help,” he said. He said there was some wind but “that is expected on an island”. He further stated that the boat capsized within moments, leaving tourists struggling. The Vietnamese Embassy took to X and wrote, “It is with profound grief that we share the list of 15 Indian nationals who have lost their lives in the tragic boat accident near Phu Quoc Island today. The list has been received from the Vietnamese authorities. Our prayers are with the families of the deceased. The Embassy and Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City remain available for any assistance”.Phu Quoc, a paradise that draws thousands of Indian travellersThe accident occurred near Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island. It is one of the most visited beaches in Asia located in the Gulf of Thailand. The island is noted for its white-sand beaches, emerald waters, coral reefs and island-hopping tours.
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The island has gained popularity among Indian travellers in recent years. Visitors often combine Phu Quoc’s beaches with boat trips to smaller surrounding islands such as Hon Thom and May Rut, among others. Here they can enjoy snorkelling, swimming and photography.Rescue efforts and investigationAs per local reports and videos doing rounds on social media, nearby boats rushed to help rescue passengers despite difficult sea conditions. Search-and-rescue teams also responded quickly.Many survivors were pulled safely from the sea even before rescue teams arrived by the boats nearby. Officials later confirmed that all bodies had been recovered, while the injured were taken to hospitals in time for medical aid. A painful reminder of risks at seaAlthough Phu Quoc enjoys a reputation as one of Vietnam’s safest beach destinations, the tragedy is a reminder that sea conditions can change rapidly. During the monsoon months, high winds and rough seas conditions can develop without any warning. Not the first boating accident
Sadly, this is not the first accident to shock Vietnam.Around a year ago, in July 2025, the sightseeing vessel Wonder Sea capsized during a sudden thunderstorm in the famous Ha Long Bay. As per reports, 39 tourists were killed in the accident. In 2018, a tourist boat capsized near Thailand’s Phuket Island during a storm, killing dozens of visitors.As investigations continue, authorities hope to find out the exact cause of the speedboat overturn so that such incidents could be avoided in the future.
