At least 15 Indian tourists dead after boat capsizes near island off Vietnam; rescue efforts under way
Dong Hoi, Vietnam — At least 15 Indian tourists have died after a boat carrying 32 passengers and four crew members capsized near an island off Vietnam, authorities confirmed on Saturday. Rescue teams are continuing operations to find and assist survivors, officials said.
The incident occurred when the passenger vessel overturned in waters near island, triggering immediate search-and-rescue efforts by local maritime authorities and nearby vessels. Vietnamese coastguard units and emergency responders rushed to the scene following distress calls, deploying boats and divers to recover people from the water.
Of the 36 people on board, at least 15 have been confirmed dead and others injured, a local official said. The remaining passengers are believed to include survivors who were pulled from the sea and transported to medical facilities for treatment. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims pending notification of families and verification.
The boat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members, according to official passenger manifests. Cambodian or other nationalities have not been reported among the passengers; investigators are working to confirm the identities and citizenship of all on board.
Search teams are continuing operations amid challenging conditions, with officials citing weather and sea state as complicating factors. Local hospitals reported receiving several survivors with hypothermia, lacerations and signs of drowning; medical staff are treating the injured and stabilizing those in critical condition.
Vietnamese authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the capsizing, examining possible factors such as overloading, mechanical failure, sudden weather changes, or navigational error. The ministry responsible for transport and maritime safety has pledged full cooperation with Indian consular officials who are coordinating with families and offering consular assistance.
India’s embassy in Hanoi said it was closely monitoring the situation and had dispatched officials to assist survivors and liaise with Vietnamese authorities. Indian consular staff are working to identify the victims and support emergency repatriation efforts for remains and injured tourists, according to an embassy statement.
Local officials urged caution as rescue teams continue to search surrounding waters and recovered remains are taken to shore. Funeral and repatriation arrangements are expected to be coordinated between Vietnamese authorities, the Indian embassy and families of the deceased.
This tragedy raises renewed concerns about tourist boat safety in the region, where busy coastal waters and seasonal storms can pose hazards to small passenger vessels. Investigators said they would review licensing, safety equipment, crew training and adherence to passenger limits as part of the probe.
Authorities have asked witnesses and nearby vessels that may have recorded the incident to come forward and share any video or information that could help reconstruct the events leading up to the capsizing. Further updates are expected as rescue operations and the official investigation continue.