Vietnam boat capsize: Who are the 15 Indians killed? Embassy releases victims’ names

The tragedy occurred about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai Island in the An Thoi archipelago, a popular island-hopping destination off Vietnam's largest island, Phu Quoc.

By: Express Global Desk
6 min readUpdated: Jul 12, 2026 04:27 AM IST
The speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members from Hon May Rut to An Thoi Port when it capsized about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai. (Image enhanced using AI)The speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members from Hon May Rut to An Thoi Port when it capsized about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai. (Image enhanced using AI)
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Vietnam boat capsize updates: At least 15 Indian tourists have been confirmed dead after a tourist speedboat carrying 32 Indian nationals and four crew members capsized near Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam on Saturday.

The Embassy of India in Hanoi released the names of the deceased after receiving the list from Vietnamese authorities, while 21 people were rescued, two of them critically injured. The tragedy occurred about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai Island in the An Thoi archipelago, a popular island-hopping destination off Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc.

Vietnamese authorities said strong winds and rough seas likely caused the boat to overturn, though the exact cause remains under investigation.

Also Read | liveVietnam boat capsize updates

The incident has prompted an emergency response from Indian diplomatic missions in Vietnam, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of Indian lives and said officials were in constant touch with Vietnamese authorities.

Boat carrying Indian tourists capsizes near Phu Quoc

According to VN Express International and Viet Nam News, the speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists along with four Vietnamese crew members when it capsized around 400 metres from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island. Authorities in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone said nearby tourist boats were the first to reach the scene before border guards, the Vietnamese Navy, Coast Guard and other emergency agencies joined the rescue operation.

Vietnamese media reported that 21 people were rescued, while 15 tourists died in the accident. Two rescued passengers remain in critical condition.

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News agency PTI, citing sources in the Andhra Pradesh government, reported that people from Andhra Pradesh were among those killed and injured in the tragedy.

The tour was organised by Vietnam-based Threeland Travel through local coordinating vendor Sai Vietnam, while the Indian tourist group was reportedly associated with Lava Mobile.

Also Read | Many of the dead in Vietnam boat tragedy worked with Lava Mobiles, are residents of Andhra Pradesh

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World · Vietnam · India
Vietnam boat tragedy: what happened near Phu Quoc
A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew capsized off Phu Quoc island on Saturday. Fifteen Indians were killed; 21 were rescued.
.15 killed · cause under investigation
The boat's trip that day
1
Departure
Hon May Rut Ngoai Island
A snorkelling islet about 10–12 km south of An Thoi. The boat set off for port around 1 p.m.
2
The accident
Capsized ~400 m offshore
In rough seas — strong winds and high waves — the boat overturned about 400 m from the islet.
3
Destination — not reached
An Thoi Port, Phu Quoc
The boat was returning to port on Phu Quoc when it went down.
The setting
Phu Quoc is Vietnam's largest island, in the Gulf of Thailand and a major beach destination. Hon May Rut is a popular snorkelling and diving spot among the islets to its south.
Locations as described by VnExpress and agency reports.
How the tragedy unfolded (Saturday)
.
A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and 4 crew leaves Hon May Rut Ngoai for An Thoi Port around 1 p.m.
.
The sea is rough — strong winds and high waves are reported in the area.
.
The boat capsizes about 400 m from Hon May Rut Ngoai, throwing everyone into the sea; many are trapped inside.
.
Nearby tourist boats rush over, reaching the scene within minutes and pulling people from the water.
.
Vietnam's Navy, Coast Guard and border guards join the rescue (An Thoi Border Guard sent two vessels and 35 personnel).
.
All 36 aboard are brought ashore.
15 killed21 rescued
Per Vietnamese authorities via VnExpress, AP and Al Jazeera. Injured were taken to hospital; the cause is not yet known.
By the numbers
32
Indian tourists
4
crew members
15
killed
21
rescued
~400 m
from Hon May Rut Ngoai
36
total on board
India's response: the embassy in Hanoi has set up control rooms in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to coordinate with the victims' families, saying exact details are still being ascertained.
Sources: VnExpress · Associated Press · Al Jazeera · India's Embassy in Hanoi. A developing story; details may change.
Express InfoGenIE
.

Indian Embassy releases names of 15 victims

The Embassy of India in Hanoi later confirmed that 15 Indian nationals had lost their lives in the accident after receiving the list from Vietnamese authorities.

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“It is with profound grief that we share the list of 15 Indian nationals who have lost their lives in the tragic boat accident near Phu Quoc Island today. The list has been received from the Vietnamese authorities. Our prayers are with the families of the deceased. The Embassy and Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City remain available for any assistance,” the mission said in a post on X.According to the embassy, those who died are:

  • Senthil Kumar Jayavel (Tamil Nadu)
  • Muruga Prabhu Arumugam (Tamil Nadu)
  • Sridhar Sundararajan (Tamil Nadu)
  • Shaik Abdullah Abdul Majeed (Tamil Nadu)
  • Balaji Natesan (Tamil Nadu)
  • Vinaya Kumar Chithapuram Bhaskara (Tamil Nadu)
  • Ravisankar Sugumaran (Tamil Nadu)
  • Santosh Kumar Shantilaljain (Tamil Nadu)
  • Babu Kuppuswamy (Tamil Nadu)
  • Alagurajan Sivasamy (Tamil Nadu)
  • Nallapeta Adiseshaiah Raviteja (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Sreedhar Mudiam (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Jaya Lakshmi Gelli (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Avicot Cheriyan Thomas (Kerala)
  • Loveni Thomas (Kerala)

 

The embassy had earlier released the names of all 32 Indian tourists travelling on the boat before confirming the identities of those killed.

As per information received from official sources, the following 32 Indian tourists were onboard the boat which capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago. We are ascertaining further details of casualties and would update soon.

 

Most victims were from Tamil Nadu

According to the list released by the Indian Embassy, 10 of the 15 victims were from Tamil Nadu, while three were from Andhra Pradesh and two were from Kerala. Officials said they are coordinating with the affected families and Vietnamese authorities as arrangements are made for assistance and the repatriation process.

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PM Modi expresses grief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the tragedy, calling it “extremely saddening”

“Extremely saddened to learn about the tragic news of a boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam,” Modi said in a post on X.He said the Indian Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City were providing all possible assistance

“Our officials are also in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities,” the Prime Minister said, while offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

Indian mission sets up emergency helplines

The Indian Embassy said it had established control rooms in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to assist affected families and provide updates.

Consulate General of India, Ho Chi Minh City

  • +84 36 281 7930
  • +84 91 552 37 14
  • +84 33 452 0414

Embassy of India, Hanoi

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  • +84 91 308 9165

The mission said it remained in close coordination with Vietnamese authorities overseeing rescue and relief efforts.

Why Phu Quoc is popular with Indian travellers

Located in southern Vietnam near the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island and one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing tourist destinations. Known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs and island-hopping excursions, it has become increasingly popular among Indian tourists following improved flight connectivity and easier visa rules.

Boat excursions around the An Thoi archipelago, including Hon May Rut Ngoai, are among the island’s most sought-after tourist activities.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation, with Vietnamese authorities examining the role of adverse weather conditions and other possible factors.

(With inputs from PTI and agencies)

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Express Global Desk

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