At least 15 Indian tourists die after boat capsizes near island off Vietnam; rescue operations are underway

Ambulances line up at a pier to help victims of a boat accident after a tourist vessel capsized off Phu Quoc island in An Giang province, southern Vietnam, on July 11, 2026. Photo credit: AFP

At least fifteen Indian tourists died after a boat capsized off an island off Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island on Saturday (July 11, 2026).

Tourist motor boat AG 26751 operated by Ocean Pearl Island Company (Minh Huy Phu Quoc Trading and Tourism Co. Ltd.) was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members from Hon May Rut to An Thoi Port, according to Vietnamese news portal VN Express International. It capsized about 400 meters from Hon May Rut Ngoai, dumping all on board into the sea.

Sea conditions were rough in the area at the time with large waves, the report added.

The Indian embassy in Hanoi had earlier said it had set up control rooms as search and rescue operations would continue.

But the Indian mission is yet to share details of the deaths. “In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam,” the post said.

She added that control rooms have been set up at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City and the Embassy in Hanoi to provide information and assistance.

In a tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists capsized off the island of Phu Quoc in Vietnam a few hours ago.

Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as part of search and rescue operations by local authorities.

To provide information…

— India in Vietnam (@AmbHanoi) July 11, 2026

The first dispatch is available at: +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 37 14 and +84 33 452 0414.

The other in Hanoi can be reached at: +84 91 308 9165 They are available for any assistance and queries, the Indian mission said.

Sources at the AP Bhavan in New Delhi said Vietnamese authorities have confirmed that all those on board have been accounted for.

According to Vietnamese authorities, the boat accident claimed 15 lives (13 men and 2 women), all Indian tourists. 21 people (17 passengers and 4 crew members) were rescued and admitted to hospitals. The two survivors are in critical condition and receiving intensive medical care.

Search and rescue operations by local authorities are underway, the Indian Embassy in Hanoi said, after a boat carrying Indian tourists capsized in Vietnam on July 11, 2026. Credit: X/ANI video screengrab

Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, has become one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting many Indian visitors in recent years.

“Our embassy and consulate are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close touch with the Vietnamese authorities,” PM Modi said on the boat incident. Expressing his concern for the victims, the Prime Minister said: “Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic news of a boat accident with Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam.

Preliminary information indicates that the tourists included seven persons from Telugu states: Ramasubbu Annavi, Nagalamadugu Sohan, Nallapata Adiseshaiah, Chithapuram Bhaskara Vinay Kumar, Gelli Kishore, Gelli Jayalakshmi (Machilipatnam) and Mudium Sreedhar (Kadapa). Their status is verified through official channels.

AP Bhavan officials said based on currently available information, Gelli Jayalakshmi (Machilipatnam), Mudium Sreedhar (49), Kadapa and Thomas Avicot Cheriyan (Tamil Nadu) have been confirmed dead. The Kadapa District Administration has contacted the family of Mr. Sreedhar and is providing all necessary assistance. Photos of rescued survivors were also released by local authorities to facilitate identification by family members.

The Embassy of India in Vietnam has activated its emergency response mechanism. The Indian ambassador, accompanied by embassy officials, is proceeding to Phu Quoc Island to coordinate with Vietnamese authorities, oversee consular assistance and facilitate support for affected families. An official list of the dead is expected after the formal identification process is completed around 8:00 p.m

Extremely saddened to learn of the tragic news of a boat accident with Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam.

Sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. My prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured survivors.

Our embassy and consulate are…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2026

With inputs from PTI, Reuters

Published – 11 Jul 2026 15:18 IST