“We tried CPR, but it was too late,” say witnesses to Vietnam boat tragedy after returning to Hyderabad

Stranded Indian tourists arrive at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport from Vietnam after a boat accident in Vietnam that killed 15 people on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Photo: SIDDHANT THAKUR/The Hindu. | Photo credit: Siddhant Thakur

“We tried to give them CPR but it was too late,” Mahipal Sanghvi recalled as he landed in Hyderabad on Sunday evening (July 12), a day after witnessing the boat tragedy off the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc. Pulled from the water by rescue teams, the victims were brought ashore where fellow hikers tried to revive them before they were pronounced dead.

People from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other states who were stranded in Vietnam after the accident arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) on Sunday evening. Family members gathered at the airport more than an hour before the plane arrived, anxiously waiting to receive their loved ones.

Mahipal Sanghvi, a resident of Vijayawada, said he was part of a group of about 80 tourists who traveled to Vietnam on July 8.

“We arrived at Phu Quoc Island on July 11. Some members of our group were participating in water activities while I stayed on the island. After some time, we were informed that there had been a boat accident. Rescue teams brought those who had fallen into the water back to shore. We tried to give them CPR, but it was too late and they were pronounced dead,” he said.

Another survivor, Ganesh from Hyderabad, said that a large number of tourists from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were part of the overall tour.

“There were about 20 to 30 people from Hyderabad in the total tour group,” he added.

Ganesh said the support extended by the Andhra Pradesh government after the tragedy was reassuring.

Srinivas, a resident of Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district, said he was part of a separate group of 24 tourists and narrowly escaped tragedy. “We were waiting for our boat to arrive when the accident happened with the boat in front of us. We saw a strong current of water, which was dangerous,” he said.

VIDEO | Hyderabad: An eyewitness recounting the Vietnam boat accident says, “My colleague, my boss, everyone was inside.”

A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four local crew capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai off Phu Quoc Island on Saturday. Fifteen Indian… pic.twitter.com/VdIzbBE0tv

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 13, 2026

He added that about three passengers from Andhra Pradesh and eight from Telangana were among those who returned on the same flight that landed in Hyderabad on Sunday evening.

Another passenger, Rameshwar Pradhan, said the group traveled to Vietnam and there were a total of 105 people on the tour. “We were traveling to Phu Quoc Island and were supposed to visit another nearby island. The group was divided into three boats. The first boat had traveled about one kilometer when it lost control in rough seas and capsized,” he said.

According to Mr. Pradhan, the boat was carrying 34 people. “Several people were rescued safely while the remaining passengers fell into the water. Two people are in a critical condition and are receiving treatment at an island hospital,” he said.

Mr. Pradhan said rescue work started immediately after the accident. “The Vietnamese naval team responded quickly and the Indian embassy also extended immediate assistance. The injured have been admitted to hospital and are undergoing treatment. We await further updates,” he said.

He added that 17 members of the tour group had returned by plane that landed in Hyderabad on Sunday evening, while efforts to help those left behind in Vietnam continued.

Published – 13 Jul 2026 0:18 IST