Vietnam Tragedy: Speedboat Operator Arrested Over Accident That Killed 15 Indian Tourists | Today’s news
Police in Vietnam have arrested a local man who was driving the ill-fated speedboat that capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai off Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of 15 Indian tourists. Captain Nguyen Hong Hai, a 57-year-old resident of Thuan Tien Village, Son Kien Commune, An Giang Province, was arrested on Sunday as part of a criminal investigation into the accident the previous day.
Vietnam investigates boat accident
According to VN Express International, after Saturday’s accident, investigators and other competent forces immediately conducted an inspection of the crime scene, collected evidence and documents and recorded the statements of those involved to determine the cause of the accident.
Investigations are ongoing to ensure any violations are dealt with strictly according to Vietnamese law, the report added.
Authorities have also temporarily suspended speedboat trips to the An Thoi archipelago off Phu Quoc island. Local operators and authorities said services would resume when weather conditions improved to ensure the safety of visitors.
Hours after the accident, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung ordered an investigation into the cause of the accident and ordered authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
15 Indian tourists were killed
15 people drowned on Saturday after a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four local crew capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai off Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam.
The Indian tourists were returning from a visit to the island when their speedboat capsized about 400 meters from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, is a major tourist destination known for its white sand beaches, coral reefs and island hopping.
Vietnam is working to repatriate the victims
The Government of Vietnam has also established two task forces to assist the families of the victims, while continuing to work closely with the People’s Committee of An Giang Province, Phu Quoc Special Zone, relevant agencies, the Embassy of Vietnam in India, the Embassy of India in Ha Noi and the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City to expeditiously carry out the preservation of the remains and facilitate the work of consular15 and the early consular office. deceased.
The bodies of 15 Indian tourists were taken to Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday, from where they will soon be flown to India, the Indian embassy in Hanoi said.
The Indian mission also said that 16 of the 17 rescued Indian tourists are on their way back home, while another person who is in critical condition is hospitalized in Phu Quoc.
“The remains of 15 Indian nationals who tragically died in a boat accident yesterday have arrived in Ho Chi Minh City. After the formalities in Ho Chi Minh City are completed, the remains will be transferred to India first,” the embassy said in a post on X on Sunday.
