Vietnam boat accident: Bodies of 15 Indians will reach Mumbai tonight, condition of one injured still critical

Knews Desk- The bodies of 15 Indian tourists who lost their lives in a tragic speedboat accident near Phu Quoc island of Vietnam will be brought to India on Monday night. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam informed that the bodies will reach Mumbai from Ho Chi Minh City on Vietnam Airlines flight VN979. The flight will depart at 6 pm local time and arrive at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 9:35 pm IST.

The accident occurred on July 11 when a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four local crew members capsized about 400 meters off the coast near Phu Quoc island. 15 Indian tourists died in the accident, while 17 people were rescued safely.

The dead include 10 tourists from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala. The Indian Embassy has informed the concerned state governments about the incident and has requested to coordinate with the affected families and make arrangements to transport the bodies to their home states. The embassy has expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and has also assured all possible assistance. Of the 17 rescued people, 16 have been discharged from the hospital and are returning to India. However, the condition of one injured still remains critical. He is being treated at a hospital in Phu Quoc and is being monitored by doctors.

According to preliminary information, the tourists were returning after an island tour when the speedboat suddenly overturned. Immediately after the accident, other boats present nearby and rescue agencies of Vietnam jointly conducted search and rescue operations, due to which many lives could be saved. After the incident, Vietnam Police has taken the speedboat captain into custody. The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing and it is being determined whether the accident occurred due to technical fault, weather or human negligence. The real cause of the accident will be revealed only after the investigation is completed.