15 Indian tourists die in Vietnam boat sinking

At least 15 Indian tourists have died after a tourist boat sank near Phu Quoc island in southern Vietnam. There were 36 people on board, including 32 Indian nationals, when the boat capsized on Saturday (July 11). Authorities said 21 people were rescued alive and the bodies of the dead have been recovered.
Local media reported that the boat capsized about 400 meters off the coast of My Route Noi island on Phu Quoc island. Several tourist boats and coast guard ships reached the scene soon after the accident and started a rescue operation.
The Indian embassy in Vietnam said that the names of the 32 Indian nationals on board the boat have been released. Separate control rooms have been opened in Ho Chi Minh City and the capital Hanoi to provide assistance and information on behalf of Indian consulates and embassies following the accident.
The Indian embassy said in a statement on social media, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident of a boat carrying Indian tourists capsizing near Phu Quoc Island. Our officials are working closely with the local authorities to provide assistance to the affected people.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the dead and injured tourists were in Vietnam to attend the annual conference of a private mobile phone company. He said Indian embassy officials were coordinating rescue and relief operations at the scene.
Most of the Indians on board were employees and distributors of Andhra Pradesh-based mobile phone manufacturer Lava Mobile, the report said. It is not yet known why the boat capsized. Vietnamese authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

Source: DW