ManilaReuters —
At least 15 Indian tourists were killed when their boat capsized off the coast of southern Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island on Saturday, VnExpress reported, citing local authorities.
According to the report, 21 people survived the accident. There were 36 people on board the ship, including 32 Indian tourists, three crew members and one attendant.
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam said it was monitoring the incident and had set up emergency response centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist affected families.
“The exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing,” the embassy said in a statement, calling the incident “tragic.”
According to authorities cited by VnExpress, the boat capsized about 400 meters (440 yards) while sailing from Hon Mae Lut Island to An Thoi Port.
VnExpress reported that sea conditions were rough in the area at the time and there were large waves.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, has become one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations and has attracted many Indian tourists in recent years.
