Vietnam Boat Disaster: Mortal Remains of 15 Indian Tourists Being Flown Home

The mortal remains of the 15 Indian tourists who lost their lives in a tragic speedboat accident near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island will be brought back to India on Monday, according to the Indian Embassy in Hanoi .

The embassy said the bodies would be flown from Ho Chi Minh City to Mumbai on Vietnam Airlines flight VN979 . The flight is scheduled to depart at 6 pm local time and arrive at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 9:35 pm IST.

Authorities have informed the respective state governments and requested them to coordinate with the affected families for the onward transportation of the mortal remains to their hometowns. Of the victims, 10 were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala . Two of those who died were women.

The tragedy occurred on Friday when a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four local crew members capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai , about 400 metres off the coast of Phu Quoc Island . The group was reportedly returning from an island excursion when the accident took place.

Rescue teams managed to save 16 tourists , who later returned to India after receiving medical treatment. However, one survivor remains in critical condition at a hospital in Phu Quoc.

Vietnamese authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. According to local media reports, the operator of the speedboat was detained on Sunday as part of the ongoing probe.

Known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs and island-hopping tours, Phu Quoc is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations. The incident has cast a shadow over the island's tourism hub and left families across India grieving the loss of their loved ones.