The mortal remains of the Malayali victims who lost their lives in the tragic speedboat accident off Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island have been brought back to India, as grieving families prepare to bid their loved ones a final farewell. The repatriation was coordinated by the Indian Embassy in Vietnam in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, state governments, and local authorities.
The two victims from Kerala, identified as A.C. Thomas and Loveni Thomas of Kottarakkara, were among the 15 Indian tourists who died when a tourist speedboat carrying 32 Indian passengers and four Vietnamese crew members capsized shortly after departing from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island near Phu Quoc. The group was on a leisure excursion when the accident occurred in rough sea conditions.
Following the accident, the Indian Embassy established emergency assistance teams to coordinate with Vietnamese authorities, expedite legal formalities, and arrange the transportation of the victims’ bodies to India. Officials confirmed that the mortal remains were flown from Ho Chi Minh City to Mumbai before being transported to their respective home states for the last rites.
The Kerala government has been in constant touch with the bereaved families. State officials assured all necessary assistance for the funeral arrangements and offered support to relatives coping with the tragedy. A Kerala minister also visited the victims’ family members to express condolences and reaffirm the government’s commitment to providing every possible help during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, sixteen survivors who were discharged from hospitals in Vietnam have returned to India, while one injured tourist continues to receive medical treatment. Vietnamese authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, with the boat’s captain reportedly under investigation for possible violations of waterway safety regulations. Survivors have also called for a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The tragedy has left families across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh in mourning. As the victims are laid to rest, the incident has renewed calls for stricter safety standards for tourist boat operations and greater awareness among travelers regarding emergency preparedness during overseas excursions.
