"Deeply distressed": EAM Jaishankar condoles Vietnam boat tragedy
New Delhi, July 12
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday expressed grief over the Vietnam boat accident, which resulted in the death of 15 Indian nationals.
In an X post, Jaishankar condoled the incident and wished for the swift recovery of the injured passengers.
"Deeply distressed by the unfortunate boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the swift recovery of those injured," he said.
A tourist speedboat carrying 36 people, including 32 Indian tourists, capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island off Phu Quoc. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam later confirmed that all 15 people killed in the accident were Indian tourists.
Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan confirmed that among the 15, two victims belonged to Keralam.
He posted on X, "The Indian Embassy in Vietnam has officially confirmed the tragic demise of Kottarakkara natives A.C. Thomas (57) and Loveni Thomas (56) in the boat accident. The state government is coordinating with Ministry of External Affairs to expedite procedures and bring them home. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family."
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Minister Kondapalli Srinivas on Saturday expressed deep grief over a tragic boat accident in Vietnam involving Indian tourists, noting that approximately 15 to 16 Indians are feared to have lost their lives in the incident, including three confirmed dead from the state and one currently admitted to the hospital.
"Nearly 250 people were in the boat, out of which a few people drowned. It is very sad that some of them died. We have lost close to 15 to 16 people from the country. From Andhra Pradesh, we have lost three persons and one person is currently in the ICU. Close to 33 people were travelling from our state," he said.
Meanwhile, Vietnam's Prime Minister Le Minh Hun on Saturday issued an urgent directive to authorities at both the central and local levels to prioritise search and rescue operations, assist victims and their families.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is heartbreaking. 32 tourists from India and 15 no more. I hope the injured recover soon. The embassy should have issued a travel advisory earlier if such risks were known. Our people abroad need better protection. 😢
Deeply saddened. Sincere condolences to all families affected. It's also a wake-up call—we must ensure our embassies have real-time mechanisms to warn travelers about safety issues. The fact that 250 people were on board sounds alarming; that boat must have been overcrowded. Prayers for the souls lost.
Terrible tragedy. I feel for the families in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh especially. The government's response seems prompt, but the root cause is lack of safety regulations in tourist spots abroad. Indian tourists should always check safety records before boarding such vessels.
So sad to read this. I visited Vietnam last year and the boats there can be quite precarious. The Indian authorities must do more to ensure our citizens are safe when traveling abroad. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. 💔
Disheartening news. Having 32 Indian tourists on board and losing 15 is a massive loss. I appreciate EAM Jaishankar's quick response. But we must also ask: why were there no life jackets or safety drills? A tragic reminder of how fragile life is.
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