Two people from Andhra Pradesh were killed and three others from the state were hospitalised in Vietnam following a tourist boat capsize near Phu Quoc Island, sources in the Andhra Pradesh government said.

The tourist speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members capsized near Phu Quoc Island while returning to An Thoi Port, the sources further said.

The accident claimed the lives of 15 Indian tourists, while 21 others were rescued. Of the survivors, 17 were passengers, and four were crew members.

Two remained in critical condition, and all 36 persons on board have been accounted for.

“Preliminary information indicates that two persons from Machilipatnam are among the deceased. We are coordinating with the Indian Embassy and the Vietnamese authorities, and further details will be shared after official confirmation,” Andhra Pradesh sources told PTI.

Three other people from the state were hospitalised following the boat capsize, the sources added.

The An Thoi Border Guard Station, the Navy, Coast Guard Region 4 and local boats launched a large-scale rescue operation. Life rafts and jet skis were deployed, they said.

The tour was organised by Vietnam-based Threeland Travel through local coordinating vendor Sai Vietnam, while the Indian tourist group was reportedly associated with Lava Mobile.

Preliminary reports indicated that Jalalakshmi and Jayashree, both from Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, were among the deceased. Verification of the identities of other affected Indian nationals was underway, the sources said. The cause of the accident was under investigation, with rough sea conditions and possible mechanical failure suspected. 
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed grief over the deaths of Indian nationals in a boat accident in Vietnam and said that Indian missions are providing all possible help.

Fifteen Indian tourists were killed in the incident on Saturday, according to Vietnamese media reports.

“Extremely saddened to learn about the tragic news of a boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc, Vietnam,” Modi said in a post on X.

The prime minister also said that the Indian Embassy and Consulate are providing all possible assistance. “Our officials are also in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities,” he said.

Expressing his sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, Modi said he prays for the early recovery of the injured survivors.