Vietnam boat capsize: MEA likely to arrange special aircraft to bring back remains of deceased tourists

Kolkata, July 11 (IANS) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is likely to send a special aircraft to bring back the mortal remains of the Indian nationals killed in the speedboat capsize in Vietnam on Saturday.

Officials from the Indian embassy in Vietnam are in constant touch with local authorities to help clear formalities as soon as possible. While 15 deaths have been confirmed till now, some more Indian tourists are in hospital. At least two of them are in serious condition, sources said.

The tourists, part of a large team of employees, distributors and retailers of a private company, were on a four-day pleasure trip to Vietnam. They reached the country on July 9 and were to return on July 12. While most were travelling solo, a few had taken their spouses along.

On Saturday afternoon, the team was divided into three groups as they set out for an island-hopping trip. While one of the three boats, carrying 32 Indian tourists, left the Hon May Rut Ngoai island for another island, the remaining two groups stayed behind and clicked photographs.

Eyewitnesses reported that the boat had barely travelled 300-400 metres from shore around 1.30 pm when it tipped over and then turned turtle. While some tourists were thrown off, several were trapped under the boat. Rescuers reached the spot within minutes but said it was difficult to reach those trapped under the boat.

While all 32 passengers and four crew members were pulled out of the water and taken to shore, 15 tourists were declared dead. The injured were moved to the hospital.

An official in New Delhi said they are coordinating with Vietnamese authorities through the embassy, adding that most of the people in the group who were unaffected will likely be allowed to leave for India on the morning of July 12.

The official added that some survivors from the stricken boat and others who may have watched the incident from shore could be asked to stay back to provide details to the authorities, and if a special aircraft is arranged, they can be accommodated on it. The embassy will take care of them until then and monitor the health of those injured.

PM Modi has expressed his condolences at the loss of life, as has Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. The Congress has urged the MEA to take all necessary steps to help out the people affected by the disaster and their families.

Several leaders from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Telangana, where most of the tourists were from, have also met with MEA officials and urged EAM Jaishankar to monitor the relief efforts.

Incidentally, such accidents are not uncommon in Vietnam. In July 2025, 39 people lost their lives in a boat capsize in the country. The victims were domestic tourists and included children. That accident occurred during a thunderstorm, though. On July 11, 2026, eyewitnesses reported that the weather was just fine, with a bit of wind that boats are expected to handle quite easily.

–IANS

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