Vietnam Boat Accident: Annamalai Urges Centre, Tamil Nadu Government to Bring Back Victims' Bodies

Fifteen Indians were among those killed in a tragic tourist speedboat accident off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island. Of the 15 victims, 10 were from Tamil Nadu. The state is in mourning and shock.

The victims were local mobile phone dealers, distributors and sales managers who had come to Vietnam on a corporate incentive trip organised by Lava Mobiles to celebrate hitting their business targets.

ACCIDENT OFF, HON MAY RUT NGOAI

The accident happened Saturday afternoon when a speedboat carrying 32 Indian passengers and four crew members was returning to An Thoi Port after an island-hopping trip.

The Massive Wave The ship was less than 500 metres from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island when a huge wave hit and rolled the ship over in rough sea.

Trapped Inside The speedboat itself was a closed, structural object, and it flipped over entirely within seconds.

The Rescue: Nearby tourist boats and local border guards scrambled to pull survivors from the water, but 15 passengers were trapped under the hull, tragically drowning. Seventeen others were rescued – some in critical medical states.

Annamalai asks for quick repatriation

K. Annamalai, Tamil Nadu BJP leader, expressed his heartfelt condolences over the tragedy and appealed to the Union Ministry of External Affairs and Tamil Nadu State Government for immediate intervention.

Annamalai urged the officials to work in close coordination with the Indian Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. He appealed to the Vietnamese authorities to expedite all administrative and legal formalities so that the mortal remains of the 10 Tamil Nadu victims could be brought back to their families without delay. He also appealed to the government to give the best possible medical treatment to the injured survivors who are still under treatment in hospitals abroad.

Special Envoy Sent

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C. Joseph Vijay, expressed grief over the loss of lives in the overseas disaster and announced immediate emergency measures as follows:

The Chief Minister has officially deputed a senior police officer, Santosh Hadimani, IPS (DIG, Salem Range), to Ho Chi Minh City to oversee and expedite the process of repatriation of the body along with the embassy staff.

State Coordination: The state government, the Non-Resident Tamils Welfare Board and Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi are setting up communication links to provide real-time updates and full administrative assistance to the bereaved families.