In brief
A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew overturned roughly 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai Island in Vietnam’s Gulf of Thailand, claiming 15 lives while rescuing 21 survivors. Rough sea conditions and strong winds were cited as probable causes. Vietnamese authorities and officials are still verifying the casualty figures. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, and the Indian embassy in Hanoi has opened hotlines to assist affected families.
Fifteen people, all Indian tourists, lost their lives when a speedboat capsized about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai Island in Vietnam’s Gulf of Thailand. The vessel, carrying 32 Indians and four crew members, overturned amid rough seas on Saturday. Rescue vessels rushed to the scene, rescuing 21 survivors, but the exact death toll remains under investigation.
Vietnamese authorities said the boat may have toppled due to high winds and waves. Nguyen Tien Hai, a regional Communist official, stressed that rescue was the priority and all efforts were focused on bringing victims ashore and treating the wounded.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sadness, offering condolences and prayers for survivors. The Indian embassy in Vietnam released a list of the 32 nationals on board and set up hotlines to aid affected families.
