The bodies of 15 Indian nationals are being flown back to Mumbai after a speedboat capsized near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam [1].
The tragedy underscores the risks associated with regional maritime tourism and has prompted a criminal investigation by Vietnamese authorities to determine the cause of the accident [6].
The accident occurred on July 11, 2024 [1, 4]. The victims were tourists visiting the island region when their vessel overturned. Among the dead are AC Thomas, 57, and Loveni Thomas, 56, a couple from Kottarakkara, Kerala [1, 2, 3].
Repatriation efforts are now underway to return the deceased to their families in India. The flight is scheduled to land at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on Monday, July 15, 2024 [1, 2].
Reports on the exact arrival time vary slightly. One source said the flight is expected to arrive around 9:35 PM [5], while another said the arrival will be around 10 PM [6].
Vietnamese officials have launched a criminal probe into the capsizing to establish whether negligence or mechanical failure led to the loss of life [6]. The coordination between the Indian embassy and local authorities in Vietnam facilitated the transport of the remains following the completion of local formalities.
Families of the victims, including those of the couple from Kerala, have been awaiting the return of the bodies to perform final rites [3]. The incident has drawn significant attention to the safety standards of speedboat operators in the Phu Quoc tourist hub.
“The bodies of 15 Indian nationals are being flown back to Mumbai”
This incident highlights the critical need for stricter safety oversight and certification of maritime tour operators in high-traffic tourist zones like Phu Quoc. The launch of a criminal investigation suggests that authorities may be looking for evidence of regulatory non-compliance or operator error, which could lead to changes in how foreign tourists are screened for safety protocols in Vietnam.
