SRINAGAR: At least 15 Indian tourists were killed after a speedboat carrying Indian visitors capsized near Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam, local authorities told the Associated Press (AP). Search and rescue operations are continuing, while the exact toll and details of the incident are still being verified.
According to AP, the speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members when it overturned near Phu Quoc Island.
VnExpress reported that the vessel was travelling from Hon May Rut Island to An Thoi Port when it capsized about 400 metres from the shore. The report said the area was experiencing rough sea conditions at the time of the incident.
Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam confirmed that a boat carrying several Indian tourists had capsized near Phu Quoc Island and said search and rescue operations by local authorities were under way.
“In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago,” the embassy said in a statement.
The embassy said the exact details of the incident were still being ascertained as rescue operations continued.
To assist affected families, the Indian Embassy said it had established control rooms at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City and at the Embassy in Hanoi to provide information and necessary assistance.
