Chennai (Rajeev Sharma): A survivor of the Vietnam speedboat accident that claimed the lives of 15 Indian tourists has described the terrifying moments when a routine island transfer turned into a disaster within minutes.
Nirmal Kumar, who returned to Chennai on July 13 night, said the boat overturned shortly after beginning its journey near Hon May Rut Ngoai off Phu Quoc Island. He recalled that a sudden, powerful wave caused the vessel to lose balance, leaving several passengers trapped inside.
The speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members when it capsized on July 11. While 16 passengers were rescued and later brought back to India after medical treatment, one survivor continues to receive critical care at a hospital in Phu Quoc.
Among the 15 people who died in the accident were 10 tourists from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala. Two women were also among the victims.
Speaking about the incident, Kumar, a resident of Palani in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district, said the group had boarded the covered speedboat as part of their final travel activity after arriving in Vietnam on July 8.
He said the tragedy unfolded almost immediately after departure.
“Within three minutes of boarding and after travelling only around 300 metres, the boat overturned,” Kumar recalled. He said a massive wave hit the vessel, causing it to tilt before passengers were thrown toward one side, shifting the balance and flipping the boat completely.
According to Kumar, the driver and tour guide jumped into the water first, prompting him and several other passengers to escape. However, those seated toward the rear of the boat faced a much more difficult situation.
He said around 15 passengers became trapped inside the overturned vessel despite wearing life jackets, as the boat’s position prevented them from reaching safety.
Rescue teams reached the location within about 10 minutes and pulled out those who had managed to escape and were floating nearby. However, recovering passengers trapped beneath the boat took another 20 to 30 minutes, he said.
The accident also left Kumar mourning the loss of his close friend, Muruga Prabhu. Kumar said he remained in Vietnam until his friend’s body was recovered and all necessary formalities were completed before returning home.
Recalling the rescue efforts, Kumar said a doctor travelling with the group believed that a shortage of emergency medical supplies at the scene may have affected the chances of saving more lives. He said the matter was being brought to the attention of Vietnamese authorities.
The survivor confirmed that a large number of victims were from Tamil Nadu, including four from Chennai, three from Tiruchirappalli and one each from Salem, Erode and Tiruppur.
The bodies of the deceased reached Mumbai on July 13 night and were scheduled to be transported to Chennai and Coimbatore for the final rites. Government authorities have arranged for the transfer of remains and support for the affected families.
Kumar expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Indian Embassy and Vietnamese authorities during the rescue and recovery operations. He also appealed to the central and state governments to provide financial support to families who lost their loved ones in the overseas tragedy.
Calling the incident an unimaginable loss, Kumar said the affected families were facing severe emotional and financial hardship and would benefit from additional government assistance.
