A tragic boating accident in Vietnamese waters has claimed the lives of 15 individuals, including 10 from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala. Survivors have recounted terrifying moments leading to the vessel’s capsizing shortly after its departure from Hòn Mây Rút Ngoài island, where 32 Indian passengers and four crew members were onboard.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that rough sea conditions contributed significantly to the disaster. S. Nirmalkumar from Palani, one of the fortunate survivors, described to The Hindu the chaotic scene just after noon when the boat was set to anchor near a neighboring island for lunch. “Everyone on the boat was wearing a life jacket,” he emphasized, underscoring the precautions taken.
According to Nirmalkumar, the boat began to sway violently almost immediately after leaving the island. “Though there were only 36 people aboard, it felt overloaded. When the boat operator made a sharp turn, it tilted to one side, causing everyone to slide, which resulted in a loss of balance,” he explained. In a matter of minutes and just 300 meters from the shore, the boat overturned.
He recounted how the boat operator and guide promptly jumped into the water as the vessel began to capsize. Realizing the imminent danger, Nirmalkumar and others at the front of the boat quickly followed suit. Tragically, those seated at the rear were unable to escape and became trapped when the boat flipped over.
Another survivor, Ramasubbu, 51, further elaborated on the dire circumstances that unfolded. He remarked that the loss of life could have been minimized if more medical support had been present at the accident site. “As the boat accelerated and made a turn, people on one side fell to the other, destabilizing the vessel. Seeing others jump off, I did the same,” he noted. Ramasubbu lamented the lack of immediate medical attention, stating that only a limited number of doctors and oxygen cylinders were available on shore. Tragically, many individuals in critical condition did not survive the journey to the hospital.
The bodies of the deceased are scheduled to arrive in India on Monday, marking a sorrowful outcome for the victims’ families who have been left grieving by this tragic event.
