Chennai: A survivor of the deadly Vietnam speedboat accident has recalled the horrifying sequence of events that led to the deaths of 15 Indian tourists, saying the vessel overturned within minutes of starting its journey near Phu Quoc Island.
Nirmal Kumar, who returned to Chennai after staying back in Vietnam to assist with recovery efforts, said a sudden wave caused the closed speedboat to lose stability and flip over during what was supposed to be a routine island transfer.
The accident occurred on July 11 near Hon May Rut Ngoai, off Phu Quoc Island, when the boat carrying 32 Indian passengers and four Vietnamese crew members overturned. Sixteen passengers were rescued and later returned to India after receiving medical care, while another survivor remains under treatment in a critical condition at a hospital in Phu Quoc.
The victims included 10 people from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala. Two women were among those who lost their lives.
Recalling the incident, Kumar, a native of Palani in Dindigul district, said the group was travelling on the final leg of their Vietnam tour, which had begun on July 8. He said the accident happened shortly after the boat left the shore.
According to Kumar, a large wave struck the vessel, causing passengers to suddenly shift to one side. The imbalance resulted in the boat overturning, trapping several people inside.
He said the boat’s driver and guide were among the first to enter the water. Following them, Kumar and several other passengers managed to escape, but those sitting in the rear section were unable to get out.
Despite wearing life jackets, around 15 passengers remained trapped beneath the overturned boat, Kumar said, explaining that the position of the vessel made it difficult for them to reach safety.
Rescue teams arrived within minutes and began pulling survivors from the water. However, retrieving those trapped underneath the boat took significantly longer, with rescue operations continuing for nearly half an hour.
The tragedy also claimed the life of Kumar’s childhood friend, Muruga Prabhu. Kumar said he stayed in Vietnam until his friend’s body was recovered and official procedures were completed before returning to India.
Kumar also raised concerns about the availability of emergency medical assistance at the accident site. He said a doctor who was part of the tourist group believed some additional medical resources at the location could potentially have helped save more lives. The matter, he added, was being communicated to Vietnamese authorities.
Providing details about the victims from Tamil Nadu, Kumar said they included tourists from Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Erode and Tiruppur.
The remains of the deceased passengers arrived in Mumbai on July 13 and were scheduled to be transported to Chennai and Coimbatore. Officials have coordinated arrangements to hand over the bodies to their families.
Expressing gratitude to the Indian Embassy and Vietnamese authorities for their support during the rescue and repatriation process, Kumar urged governments to provide financial assistance to the families affected by the tragedy.
He said the incident had left families devastated and that support from authorities would help them cope with the loss caused by the accident on foreign soil.
