A speedboat that was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members capsized near the island of Hon May Rut Ngoai in Vietnam’s southern waters, killing 15 people and leaving 21 survivors, local media and authorities have confirmed.
The incident occurred about 400 metres from the island’s shore, in rough sea conditions that had been described as heavy winds and high waves, according to senior Communist official Nguyen Tien Hai. Rescue crews from nearby tourist vessels reacted swiftly, pulling many passengers from the wreckage and bringing them to shore.
All of the victims are believed to be Indian nationals, a claim that was later confirmed by the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, which released a full list of the 32 travelers on board and set up telephone hotlines for the families of the deceased.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragedy on the social media platform X, offering sincere condolences and prayers for those who are still injured.
Hon May Rut Ngoai, a small island within the An Thoi Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand, is a popular spot for island‑hopping boat tours. The province’s authorities are working to confirm the exact number of casualties and survivors, and are prioritising emergency care for the injured.
