A survivor of the deadly speedboat accident in Vietnam has shared a chilling account of how the vessel capsized within minutes of setting off. Nirmal Kumar arrived in Chennai on Monday night after surviving the tragedy that claimed the lives of 15 Indian tourists.
The accident took place on July 11 near Hon May Rut Ngoai island off Phu Quoc. The boat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members when it overturned during rough weather. Sixteen people survived, while one passenger remains in critical condition in Vietnam.
Survivor Describes the Terrifying Moments
Speaking after his arrival in Chennai, Vietnam boat tragedy survivor Nirmal Kumar said the speedboat flipped within three minutes of leaving the island.
He said a powerful wave struck the closed speedboat after it had travelled only about 300 metres. The sudden impact caused passengers to fall to one side, overturning the vessel.
Many Passengers Could Not Escape
Kumar said the driver and the tour guide jumped into the water first. Around 20 passengers managed to escape through the front section of the boat.
However, nearly 15 people seated at the rear became trapped inside the overturned vessel. Although they were wearing life jackets, the enclosed cabin made it difficult for them to get out.
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Rescue Teams Reached Quickly
According to Kumar, rescue teams arrived within about 10 minutes and pulled survivors from the water. Recovering those trapped beneath the boat took much longer.
He also lost his childhood friend, Muruga Prabhu, in the accident. Kumar said he stayed back in Vietnam until his friend’s body was recovered and all formalities were completed.
Families Await Further Support
Of the 15 people who died, 10 were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala. The bodies were flown back to India, where state authorities coordinated their return to the families.
Before leaving the airport, Kumar appealed for financial assistance for the victims’ families. He thanked the Indian Embassy and Vietnamese authorities for helping survivors and coordinating the return of the deceased. Vietnam boat tragedy has renewed calls for stricter safety measures during tourist boat operations
