'Many were trapped': Vietnam tragedy visuals show overturned boat, CPR on shore, panic at sea

At least 15 people were killed after a speedboat carrying Indian tourists capsized off Vietnam's southern Phu Quoc Island on Saturday, according to authorities.The speedboat was carrying 36 people when it capsized about 400 metres (440 yards) off May Rut Ngoai Islet, authorities said.Nearby tourist boats rushed to the scene after spotting the capsized vessel and joined rescue efforts. One boat owner involved in the operation said his vessel reached the site within about five minutes, but the rescue was complicated because several passengers were trapped inside the overturned boat."Only a few people were brought out conscious," the boat owner said, as cited by VN Express.He added that the sea off An Thoi was rough at the time, despite the absence of rain, while other tourist boats continued operating in the area.Visuals from the scene showed local residents performing CPR on tourists after they were pulled from the water and brought ashore.The An Thoi Border Guard deployed two vessels and 35 officers and soldiers to the site, joining rescue efforts alongside the navy, coast guard and other emergency responders.By Saturday afternoon, rescuers had recovered all 36 people who were aboard the speedboat. Twenty-one survived, while 15 others, including two women and 13 men, were confirmed dead.According to preliminary information from the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone authorities, the vessel, operated by Ocean Pear Island Company, overturned about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai at around 1.00 pm (local time) while en route to An Thoi Port, approximately 25 kilometres from Phu Quoc Airport.India's embassy in Vietnam confirmed that the capsized speedboat was carrying "several Indian tourists" and released the names of those who lost their lives in the accident.Catch the latest world news and top headlines. Download the TOI App.