On Saturday, 11th July, at least 15 tourists have died after a tourist boat carrying several Indian nationals overturned near Vietnam’s popular Phu Quoc Island, prompting rescue operations and an urgent response from Indian diplomatic officials in the country.
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam confirmed that it is closely monitoring the situation and is in touch with local authorities as efforts continue to determine the exact number of passengers involved and the extent of the casualties.
“In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists has capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam a few hours ago. Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing,” the embassy said in a post on X.
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.
— India in Vietnam (@AmbHanoi) July 11, 2026
We are ascertaining further details of casualties and would update soon.@cghcm pic.twitter.com/geddttdpWB
Indian mission sets up emergency helplines
As concerns grew among families in India, the Indian Embassy announced that special control rooms had been established in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist relatives seeking information about passengers onboard the vessel.
The Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City has activated emergency contact numbers to provide updates and support to affected families. A separate helpline has also been set up in Hanoi.
🚨Breaking news:
— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) July 11, 2026
A boat carrying 32 Indian tourists has capsized near the Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam.
15 Indian tourists have likely died. Many injured
Rescue efforts are on pic.twitter.com/qJZpvSNok1
“We are available for any assistance and queries,” the embassy said, urging families to contact the control rooms for information and help.
Rescue operation underway as search continues
Vietnamese authorities launched a search and rescue operation shortly after receiving reports of the accident. Several nearby tourist boats that were operating in the area rushed to the scene and joined efforts to rescue passengers from the overturned vessel.
According to local media reports, the rescue operation proved challenging because a number of passengers were believed to have been trapped inside the boat after it flipped over.
One of the boat operators who participated in the rescue told Vietnamese news outlet VnExpress International that his team reached the site within minutes of the accident.
“Only a few people were brought out conscious,” the operator was quoted as saying.
Reports said sea conditions near the An Thoi area off Phu Quoc Island were rough at the time of the accident. Although there was no rain, tourist boats were continuing to operate in the region when the vessel overturned.
