Foreign Ministry steps up support for victims of Phu Quoc tourist boat accident

A MOFA delegation led by Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang, together with officials from the Consular Department and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, traveled to the scene to coordinate with local authorities, the Embassy of India in Ha Noi, and the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City in providing assistance to the victims and their families.

The delegation guided procedures for the funeral arrangements of the deceased and expedited the repatriation of their remains.

According to the Indian Ambassador to Viet Nam, Indian leaders have been closely following the incident. The Ambassador expressed appreciation for the condolences extended by Vietnamese leaders and thanked the Vietnamese authorities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and local agencies for their prompt, responsible and compassionate response, including financial support provided to the victims' families.

Regarding the repatriation process, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs coordinated with relevant authorities to transfer the victims' remains to the Ho Chi Minh City Forensic Center for preservation. The department has also arranged round-the-clock staff, established two task forces to provide legal assistance and receive victims' families, and worked with the Ministry of Public Security to facilitate entry procedures for representatives of the Government of India's Tamil Nadu state traveling to Viet Nam on behalf of the families.

In the coming days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue working closely with the People's Committee of An Giang Province, the Phu Quoc Special Zone, relevant agencies, the Vietnamese Embassy in India, the Embassy of India in Ha Noi, and the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City to carry out consular protection measures and expedite the repatriation of the victims' remains in accordance with their families' wishes.

On July 11, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung ordered urgent measures to address the aftermath of the tourist boat accident near Hon May Rut Ngoai in the Phu Quoc Special Zone.

The Prime Minister extended condolences to the victims' families and directed ministries, agencies and local authorities to mobilize all available medical resources to treat the injured while minimizing further loss of life and property.

The accident occurred when a tourist boat carrying 32 Indian tourists, together with four crew members and tour guides, capsized off Phu Quoc Island. Fifteen Indian tourists—13 men and two women—lost their lives, while 21 others were rescued./.