Vietnam PM orders investigation into speedboat tragedy after 15 Indian tourists killed

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hun on Saturday ordered a “comprehensive assessment” of speedboat tragedy near Phu Quoc Island that claimed the lives of 15 Indian tourists.

According to a statement shared by the Consulate General of Vietnam in Mumbai on Facebook, PM Hun also directed authorities to provide assistance to victims and their families.

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“On behalf of the Vietnamese authorities, we wish to express our deepest sympathies regarding the recent capsizing of a tourist boat carrying Indian nationals in Phu Quoc. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families,” the statement said.

The Vietnamese PM ordered urgent investigation into the tragedy and directed authorities to take strict legal action against anyone found to have violated regulations and may have caused the accident.

“Urgently investigate and determine the cause of the accident, and strictly deal with–in accordance with the law–any organizations or individuals found to have violated regulations and caused this exceptionally serious accident,” the statement read.

The Consulate further stated that the Prime Minister has directed authorities to mobilise all necessary medical resources and supplies to treat the injured, minimise further loss of life and property, and provide support and encouragement to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the accident.

The directive also asked authorities to identify shortcomings, determine both the direct and indirect causes of the accident, and implement corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The tragic incident occured on Saturday when the speedboat carrying 36 people, including 4 crew members, flipped after reportedly being hit by a sudden wave off Rut Ngoai Islet.

While local authorities managed to rescue 21 people, 15 Indians, including 2 women were dead.

The Indian embassy in Vietnam released the list of the deceased provided by the Vietnamese authorities.

Of the 15 deceased, 10 are from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala.