"We continue to pray for his early recovery": Indian Embassy in Vietnam shares update on boat accident survivor
Hanoi, July 13
The Indian national who survived the tragic boat capsize at the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc and who was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City has successfully undergone a medical procedure, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam said on Monday.
In a post on social media platform X, the Embassy of India in Vietnam stated, "The Indian national undergoing treatment at Phu Quoc after the tragic boat accident successfully underwent a medical procedure yesterday evening. He has been admitted to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City today. His family members have also arrived in Ho Chi Minh City. We continue to pray for his early recovery."
The mortal remains of the 15 Indian tourists who were killed when the speedboat they were travelling in capsized are set to be flown back to India today, according to further updates from the diplomatic mission.
The boat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members when it overturned near the shore Saturday afternoon near Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, authorities said.
The deceased individuals include 10 tourists from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Keralam.
In a separate post on X, the Indian embassy noted that the flight carrying the mortal remains is slated to take off from Ho Chi Minh City at 18:00 hours (local Vietnamese time) and is scheduled to land at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 21:35 hours IST.
"The mortal remains of the 15 Indian nationals who tragically lost their lives in the July 11 boat accident will be repatriated from Ho Chi Minh City to India today via Vietnam Airlines flight VN979," the embassy stated.
The mission further mentioned that the relevant state authorities in India have been notified and requested to liaise with the grieving families to arrange the onward transit of the mortal remains to their respective hometowns.
"The Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City pray for the family members of the deceased. We are available for any assistance," the mission added.
In response to the tragedy, the administrations of these three states have set up dedicated helpline numbers to support the relatives of the victims.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So many families destroyed in a single moment. The fact that mostly Tamils, Telugus, and Malayalis died shows how these group tour packages need better safety inspections. Hope the survivor recovers fully and can give some closure to other families. 🙏
Terrible tragedy, but also grateful to the embassy for handling logistics well. Bringing 15 bodies back is no small task. However, I wish we had stricter regulations for adventure tourism both at home and abroad. Too many such accidents happen!
Horrifying news. 15 Indians gone in a flash. The embassy's prayer message is nice, but what about accountability? The boat was carrying 36 people - was it overcrowded? We need answers, not just prayers. The survivor's story must be heard once he recovers.
Heart goes out to the families in Tamil Nadu, Andhra, and Kerala. This is a reminder that even a vacation can turn into tragedy. The embassy and state helplines are good steps, but I wish we had better safety awareness campaigns for travelers. Rest in peace to all. 🙏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.