Vietnam boat tragedy: families lose sole breadwinner in Vellore, Tiruvannamalai

C. Vinaya Kumar of Vellore. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

A gloom descended on Kannika Parameshwari Amman Koil in Saidapet, which falls under the Vellore Corporation, on Sunday as relatives and neighbors consoled the bereaved family of C. Vinay Kumar, 45, who was among the dead in a boat accident near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam on Saturday (July 11, 2026).

Vinaya Kumar, who runs a jewelery shop on Lang Bazar Road opposite the fort complex, was the main distributor of Lava Mobiles in the district. He traveled to Vietnam with his colleagues as part of an incentive trip organized by a mobile phone company.

“Vinaya Kumar spoke to his wife and daughter on Saturday (July 11) morning and informed them that he would return the next morning (Sunday). We never expected this news,” his father-in-law Prabhakaran told The Hindu.

Vinaya Kumar left for Vietnam on the night of July 8. He was the sole breadwinner of the family and is survived by his wife Jayathi and a 13-year-old daughter. His parents live with his younger brother in Ireland.

Family members said his employer was in contact with authorities and coordinating efforts related to the incident. The family is now awaiting the repatriation of his remains from Vietnam. “We thank both the governments (Centre and State) for immediately trying to bring his body back to us,” Mr. Prabhakaran said.

S. Ravisankar of Tiruvannamalai. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

S. Ravisankar (51) of neighboring Tiruvannamalai was also among those who died in the accident. He is survived by his wife and two children. Along with his family, including his parents, Ravisankar lived for generations on Annai Kattai Street near the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai.

Mr. Ravisankar was a distributor for Lava PNG Agency in the temple town and was traveling to Vietnam as part of a business trip organized by the parent company. The son of a wholesaler, Mr. Ravisankar was the sole breadwinner of the family. The family learned about the tragedy from the media before the Center officially informed them on Saturday.

Published – 12 Jul 2026 22:09 IST