Repatriation of Mortal Remains of 15 Indian Tourists Killed in Vietnam Accident
The remains of the 15 Indian tourists who tragically lost their lives in a speedboat accident near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, will be returned to India on Monday, according to the Indian Embassy in Vietnam.
In an official announcement on X, the embassy confirmed that the bodies would be transported from Ho Chi Minh City to Mumbai via Vietnam Airlines flight VN979. This flight is scheduled to take off from Ho Chi Minh City at 1800 hrs local time, expected to arrive at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 2135 hrs IST.
“The mortal remains of the 15 Indian nationals who tragically lost their lives in the 11 July boat accident will be repatriated from Ho Chi Minh City to India today via Vietnam Airlines flight VN979,” the embassy stated.
Coordination with State Governments
The embassy added that the state governments of the deceased have been notified and asked to coordinate with the affected families for the transport of the remains to their respective final destinations.
The Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City express their condolences and are ready to assist family members of the deceased.
Details of the Accident
The unfortunate incident took place on Saturday when a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists along with four local crew members capsized off Hon May Rut Ngoai, near Phu Quoc Island. Out of the passengers, 15 Indian tourists lost their lives, while 17 others were rescued.
The embassy reported that 16 of the 17 survivors have since been discharged from the hospital and are returning to India. However, one survivor remains in critical condition and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Phu Quoc.
Victims from Various States
Among those who perished were 10 tourists from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala. The respective state governments have set up helplines to assist the families of the victims.
Eyewitness Accounts
Reportedly, the tourists were on their way back from an island excursion when the speedboat overturned approximately 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai island. Nearby tourist boats and Vietnamese rescue agencies initiated a swift search-and-rescue operation. Eyewitnesses conveyed that some passengers were trapped inside the overturned vessel.
