Vietnam Boat Tragedy Survivors Allege Delay in Medical Aid After Speedboat Capsize Kills 15 Indians

Survivors of the Vietnam tourist speedboat tragedy have raised serious concerns over the emergency medical response, alleging that delays in treatment and the absence of trained medical personnel may have contributed to additional fatalities after the vessel capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai off Phu Quoc Island.

Twenty survivors from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana returned to Hyderabad on Sunday after being repatriated from Vietnam. The tourist speedboat, carrying 32 Indian tourists along with crew members, overturned while returning to An Thoi Port, killing 15 Indian tourists. Twenty-one people were rescued, while two survivors remain in critical condition.

One of the survivors, Govinda, an employee of the company that organised the trip, said passengers had to perform CPR themselves because trained medical personnel were not immediately available.

According to him, there was no proper medical team, oxygen support or adequate emergency facilities on the island. Survivors attempted to revive injured passengers using basic CPR knowledge while waiting for professional help. He claimed that timely medical intervention could have saved several more lives.

Govinda also alleged that requests for an air ambulance could not be fulfilled and that ambulance boats reached the site only after a delay. Initial rescue efforts were carried out by the boat crew, jet ski operators and nearby tourists who rushed to help those trapped in the water.

Of the 29 tourists from Andhra Pradesh who were part of the company trip, 26 survived while three lost their lives.

Recounting the incident, Govinda said he was travelling on another boat about 400 metres away when the accident occurred. He recalled seeing the first boat tilt before overturning and immediately heading towards the scene to assist survivors.

Based on accounts from passengers aboard the capsized vessel, he said strong waves forced the captain to slow down, causing frightened passengers to move to one side, which destabilised the speedboat and led to the accident.

Another survivor, Harihar Srinivas from Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district, escaped the tragedy as he was waiting to board another boat nearby. He said the vessel had travelled only a short distance after leaving the island before powerful currents caused it to overturn.

While appreciating the speed of the rescue operation, Srinivas also questioned the preparedness for medical emergencies, saying better planning and faster access to healthcare could have improved survival chances.

The company-sponsored Vietnam trip included employees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, who had travelled to Vietnam on July 8. Authorities are arranging for the bodies of the deceased to be returned to India, while one critically injured tourist continues to receive treatment at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

Key Highlights

• Fifteen Indian tourists were killed after a speedboat capsized near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam.
• Twenty-one passengers were rescued, while two survivors remain in critical condition.
• Survivors alleged there were no trained doctors, oxygen support or adequate emergency medical facilities.
• Passengers reportedly performed CPR themselves while waiting for professional medical assistance.
• Survivors claimed delays in ambulance boats and the absence of an air ambulance affected rescue efforts.
• The company-sponsored trip included employees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

FAQs

Q1. How many Indians died in the Vietnam boat tragedy?
Fifteen Indian tourists lost their lives after the tourist speedboat capsized near Phu Quoc Island.

Q2. What concerns did survivors raise after the accident?
Survivors alleged that delays in emergency medical care, lack of trained doctors, oxygen support and critical care facilities may have contributed to additional deaths.

Q3. Where did the boat accident occur?
The accident occurred near Hon May Rut Ngoai off Phu Quoc Island while the boat was returning to An Thoi Port.

Q4. How many passengers survived the boat capsize?
Twenty-one passengers were rescued, though two remain in critical condition.

Q5. What caused the boat to capsize?
According to survivor accounts, strong waves caused panic among passengers, who shifted to one side of the boat, making it unstable and causing it to overturn.