Vietnam to fully support families of 15 Indian tourists killed in Phu Quoc boat accident

Speaking at an emergency meeting in Phu Quoc Special Zone on Sunday, Hang said relatives of the deceased tourists wishing to travel to Vietnam would receive expedited visa and immigration processing through the Vietnamese Embassy in India, while the Vietnamese government would cover accommodation, food, and transportation expenses during their stay.

The meeting brought together a high-level Vietnamese government delegation, leaders of An Giang and Phu Quoc Special Zone, and representatives of the Indian Embassy in Hanoi and the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City to coordinate relief efforts and provide maximum support to the victims and their families.

The meeting followed a deadly speedboat capsizing off May Rut Ngoai Islet in Phu Quoc Special Zone at around 1:00 pm on Saturday.

The vessel was carrying 36 people, including three crew members, a tour guide, and 32 Indian tourists.

The accident killed 15 Indian tourists, including 13 men and two women, and injured several others.

Hang said the preservation of the victims' remains and their transportation to Ho Chi Minh City had been completed.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs has assigned staff to remain on duty around the clock to coordinate logistical arrangements, ensure the victims' religious rites are respected, and facilitate the earliest possible repatriation of the remains.

Hang said Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung had closely monitored the situation and issued prompt directives immediately after the accident.

The prime minister issued an urgent dispatch ordering authorities to mobilize all available rescue forces, provide the best possible medical care for the injured, and work closely with Indian diplomatic representatives in Vietnam to assist the victims and their families.

Ngo Cong Thuc, deputy chairman of the An Giang administration, extended his deepest condolences to the Indian ambassador and the people of India, especially the families of those killed in what he described as an unexpected tragedy caused by extreme weather conditions.

He said local authorities had mobilized extensive search-and-rescue resources and provided the best possible medical care for the surviving Indian tourists.

He added that An Giang would provide direct financial assistance of approximately US$3,000 for each victim.

A comprehensive investigation into the accident is underway, and Vietnamese authorities have pledged to keep the Indian side regularly informed of the findings.

According to a preliminary assessment by Vietnamese authorities, the accident appears to have resulted from sudden extreme weather conditions after strong winds abruptly shifted direction within a localized area over a short period, causing the speedboat to overturn.

An Giang is also conducting a comprehensive review of inland waterway safety standards to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

A representative of the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City commended the efforts and support provided by the Vietnamese side, particularly those of An Giang authorities and officials in Phu Quoc Special Zone, in assisting the Indian citizens.

The representative said the Indian government highly appreciated the swift response and assistance provided by Vietnamese authorities.

In a related development, Ho Van Mung, chairman of the An Giang administration, on Sunday sent a letter of condolence to Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Tshering Wangchuk Sherpa over the tragedy.

In the letter, Mung expressed his deepest condolences to Ambassador Sherpa and, through him, conveyed his sympathies to the government and people of India, especially the families of those killed or injured in the accident.

He said the provincial administration had mobilized all available personnel, equipment, and resources for search-and-rescue operations, emergency response, and medical care for the victims.

Mung added that relevant agencies were expediting the investigation and handling all related matters in accordance with the law.