An eyewitness has recounted the tragic boat accident near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island that claimed the lives of 15 Indian tourists, saying the speedboat had travelled only 300 to 400 metres from the shore before it suddenly capsized.
Ashish Kumar, a 48-year-old distributor from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, said he was part of a group of Lava International distributors, employees and partners visiting Vietnam on a company trip. The group had arrived on July 9 and was scheduled to return to India on Sunday.
According to Kumar, the tourists had been divided into three groups to travel between islands. One speedboat carrying 32 Indian passengers had just departed from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island when the accident occurred at around 1:30 p.m. local time.
“The boat had barely gone 300 to 400 metres when it overturned. We were taking photographs on the shore, and everything happened before we could react,” Kumar said.
He added that weather conditions were relatively normal, with only moderate winds, and did not appear severe enough to explain the accident.
Rescue teams reached the site quickly and transported survivors and victims back to shore. However, Kumar claimed that medical personnel were not immediately available to provide emergency treatment, including CPR.
“We are all in a state of shock,” he said, adding that one of his fellow distributors lost his wife in the tragedy and is currently receiving treatment in hospital.
Another survivor, Nirmal Kumar from Tamil Nadu’s Palani, said the boat was carrying 39 passengers who were travelling for lunch when a large wave struck the vessel.
“The boat overturned within seconds. Since we were near the front, we managed to escape, but many passengers seated at the back became trapped inside the enclosed cabin,” he said. According to him, around 20 people escaped while 15 passengers lost their lives.
Lava International expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, confirming that some of its employees and channel partners were among those involved. The company said it is in constant contact with the Embassy of India in Vietnam and local authorities while providing all possible assistance to affected families.
“Our immediate priority is to extend all possible support to those affected and their families,” the company said in a statement.