In a post on social network X, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam said that the bodies of 15 Indian tourists killed in the canoe capsizing off Phu Quoc Island were brought back to the country by air on July 13.
The bodies of the victims left Ho Chi Minh City on Vietnam Airlines flight VN979 and landed in Mumbai on the same evening.
The Indian Embassy in Vietnam said that the authorities of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu states coordinated to receive and bring the bodies of the victims to their localities for funeral arrangements.
The Indian diplomatic mission also sent thanks to Vietnamese functional agencies for their support after the accident.
The Indian Embassy in Hanoi and the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Phu Quoc Special Administrative Region government, An Giang province as well as the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all relevant agencies for their support after the tragic canoe accident" - the Embassy shared.
The Indian Embassy also thanked the condolences and encouragement from the Vietnamese people.
We appreciate the condolences and prayers from Vietnamese friends. Your prayers, efforts to help and companionship have given us strength in this painful moment" - the Embassy said.
According to Indian media, among the 15 victims, 10 were from Tamil Nadu state, 3 from Andhra Pradesh state and 2 from Kerala state.
The accident happened on July 11, when a canoe carrying 32 Indian tourists and 4 Vietnamese crew members capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai, off the coast of Phu Quoc (An Giang). The incident killed 15 Indian tourists.
According to Indian media, 16 surviving Indian tourists have returned home, and 1 person is still being treated in Vietnam.
In a separate update on July 13, the Indian Embassy said that the injured victim had been successfully medically intervened on the evening of July 12 and was transferred from Phu Quoc to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for further treatment. The Embassy added that relatives of this victim had also come to Ho Chi Minh City for care.
