Updated

Updated · The Associated Press · Jul 11

Vietnam Speedboat Capsizes Near Phu Quoc, Killing 15 Indian Tourists and Injuring Others

Updated

Updated · The Associated Press · Jul 11

Vietnam Speedboat Capsizes Near Phu Quoc, Killing 15 Indian Tourists and Injuring Others

Q: With warnings of 'dangerously rough seas,' why did the Vietnam tour boat sail, leading to 15 deaths?

It is not yet known why the boat was allowed to sail despite rough-sea warnings; authorities have only said the vessel capsized in heavy winds and high waves, and the exact cause is still under investigation. What is clear is that the weather risk had been flagged. Regional meteorological agencies had warned in the days before the accident of “dangerously rough seas” in the Gulf of Thailand under a strong southwest monsoon, with waves of 2 to 3 metres and higher in stormy areas. Local officials in the Phu Quoc area also said conditions were rough when the speedboat overturned about 400 metres from Hon May Rut Ngoai island. The boat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members on a popular island-hopping route near Phu Quoc. It capsized close to shore, suggesting the danger came less from distance and more from sea state, wind and wave impact on a small, fast tourist craft. Nearby boats rescued 21 people, many trapped inside the overturned vessel, while 15 died. The unresolved issue is whether the operator misjudged the weather, whether local restrictions were absent or not enforced, and whether safety protocols were followed, including go/no-go decisions, passenger briefing, life-jacket use, vessel loading and crew preparedness. None of that has been established publicly yet. So the short answer is that the boat sailed even though rough conditions were present, but the reason it was permitted to do so has not been explained by officials so far.

3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jul 11

A tourist speedboat overturned about 400 meters from Hon May Rut Ngoai island near Phu Quoc, leaving 15 Indian visitors dead and 21 people rescued.
Thirty-two Indian tourists and four crew were aboard when the boat capsized in rough seas and strong winds; authorities said many victims were trapped inside, complicating the rescue.
Nearby boats pulled passengers from the water before border guards, navy and coast guard teams arrived, while jet skis ferried survivors ashore for first aid and hospital treatment.
Narendra Modi said the tourists were employees of a private mobile phone company attending an annual meeting, and Indian Embassy staff were at the scene as Vietnam investigated the cause.