Captain blamed for boat capsizing that killed 15 Indian tourists off Vietnam's largest island

Bad weather, strong winds, and high waves are deemed the primary factors that caused the capsizing of the boat, according to Deputy Head of the Staff Division of the An Giang Province Police, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Quang Quoc Huy. The incident occurred on July 11, when the vessel, AG-26751, with 36 people on board, capsized near Phu Quoc Special Zone, off Vietnam's largest island, Phu Quoc.

Captain Hai, a 57-year-old individual, was arrested and held in pre-trial detention on July 12, accused of violating waterway traffic safety regulations. He faces a potential sentence of seven to 15 years in prison, as the crime is punishable for offenses resulting in the deaths of three or more individuals. Police are diligently collecting documents and evidence to ascertain the violations and the responsibilities of the involved individuals and organizations.

The boat capsized approximately 400 meters after departing from Hon May Rut Ngoai island, en route to An Thoi Port in the Phu Quoc Special Zone. Hai was in command of the vessel, alongside 32 Indian tourists, three crew members, and a Vietnamese guide. All 36 individuals plunged into the water.

A rescue operation was promptly initiated by nearby tour boats, border guards, police, soldiers, and local residents. While 21 people were successfully rescued, 15 tragically lost their lives - 13 men and two women, all Indian tourists. The survivors sustained severe injuries, including respiratory failure from near-drowning, shock due to multiple injuries, brain bleeding, and an acute heart attack.

Medics from Cho Ray Hospital swiftly responded to the rescue site, performing emergency procedures on one of the survivors, successfully unblocking his blocked coronary artery and fitting him with a temporary pacemaker. He was subsequently transferred to Ho Chi Minh City for further treatment and subsequently flew back to India, with a doctor escorting him.