Vietnam arrests speedboat captain after deadly capsize
A speedboat capsized near Phu Quoc island in Vietnam, resulting in the deaths of 15 Indian tourists. Local authorities have arrested the captain for legal violations, while survivors are being repatriated to India.
Why it matters
This tragic incident highlights safety concerns for international tourists in Southeast Asia and has prompted diplomatic coordination between India and Vietnam.
Vietnamese police arrested on Sunday (July 12, 2026) the captain of a speedboat that capsized near southern Phu Quoc island, killing 15 Indian tourists, authorities said.
The incident occurred on Saturday (July 11, 2026) as the boat carrying 32 Indian tourists, three Vietnamese crew members and a tour guide overturned in rough seas off May Rut Ngoai islet, state media said.
Sailors and rescuers recovered 21 people, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported, but 15 passengers died.
Police in southern An Giang province said they arrested the 57-year-old captain of the boat for "violations of laws" resulting in the capsize.
Tuoi Tre reported that "initial assessments by Vietnamese authorities suggest this was an unavoidable incident caused by extreme weather conditions" that shifted rapidly.
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