The bodies of 15 Indian tourists who drowned in a boat accident off Vietnam's coast have been repatriated to India, RT reported. The incident occurred on Saturday when a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai island.

According to the Indian embassy in Vietnam, the victims' remains were flown from Ho Chi Minh City to Mumbai on Monday. The embassy also confirmed that 16 survivors have been discharged from a local hospital and are on their way back to India. All those who lost their lives hailed from southern India.

The boat overturned shortly after departure due to a large wave striking it, causing it to swerve violently in rough seas before capsizing, AP reported. Rescue teams responded swiftly, arriving within five minutes to pull survivors from the water. One critically injured survivor was transferred to Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for advanced medical care.

The tourists were on a company-organized trip arranged by a smartphone manufacturer for its employees, distributors, and retail partners. The accident happened approximately six miles south of Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island known for attracting millions of tourists annually.

Why this matters

This tragic event highlights the risks associated with maritime travel in rough weather conditions, especially in popular tourist destinations like Phu Quoc. It underscores the importance of stringent safety measures and emergency preparedness for tourist excursions involving water transport. The repatriation of victims also reflects the diplomatic cooperation between Vietnam and India during crisis situations.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the capsizing to prevent similar incidents in the future.