Chennai, July 13:
A State-appointed special officer has reached Vietnam to coordinate with the Indian Embassy for the repatriation of the bodies of 10 Tamil Nadu residents who were among the 15 Indians killed in a tragic speedboat accident off Phu Quoc Island. The officer is also assisting survivors and overseeing relief measures on the ground.
Salem Range Deputy Inspector General of Police Santhosh Hadimani has begun coordinating closely with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam to expedite the return of the mortal remains and ensure necessary support for the affected families. According to officials, the bodies have been moved to Ho Chi Minh City and are expected to be flown back to India in the coming days.
The Indian Embassy in Hanoi said that 16 of the 17 rescued Indians are on their way back home, while one person remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment in Phu Quoc. The embassy and consulate teams are working in close coordination with Vietnamese authorities to facilitate the early transportation of the bodies.
The accident occurred on Saturday when a speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four local crew members capsized about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai island. Of the 15 deceased, 10 were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala. Two of the victims were women.
Helplines have been activated by both the Indian Embassy and the Tamil Nadu government to assist families seeking information. Relatives can contact +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 3714, and +84 33 452 0414 for updates.
Phu Quoc, Vietnamās largest island, is a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and island excursions. The tragedy has raised concerns over tourist safety even as authorities continue rescue