On July 13, An Giang Provincial Department of Tourism said that immediately after receiving information related to the canoe capsizing incident in Phu Quoc special zone at noon on July 11, the Department directly sent officials to grasp the situation, coordinate with the Special Zone People's Committee and relevant agencies and units to handle the case according to assigned functions and tasks, participate in welcoming the Indian Embassy delegation at Phu Quoc International Airport, exchange, share, and provide information related to tourism activities and foreign affairs to functional agencies.
Cave with license plate AG-26751 (boat captained by Mr. Nguyen Hong Hai, born in 1969) carrying 32 Indian tourists along with 3 crew members and 1 Vietnamese guide moved from Hon May Rut Ngoai to An Thoi International Port. After leaving the wharf about 400 meters, a canoe sinking incident occurred. At about 3:40 pm on the same day, rescue and relief work was completed to bring 36 people ashore, of which 21 people were rescued, but 15 unfortunately died.
The vehicle involved in the accident belongs to Minh Huy PQ Tourism Co., Ltd. The Department has issued an Official Dispatch requesting Minh Huy PQ Tourism Co., Ltd. to urgently report and provide records and documents related to the canoe sinking incident. Contact Minh Huy Company and the resort where the tourist group stayed to understand the situation related to welcoming and serving.
Leaders of the Department said that they will continue to coordinate with the Provincial Police, Phu Quoc Special Zone People's Committee and relevant agencies and units to update and verify information; and at the same time request businesses to urgently provide complete dossiers to serve inspection, verification and handling according to regulations.
Preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies and units to carry out consular procedures and necessary support measures in accordance with the law and international practices. Continue to coordinate with departments, branches, relevant agencies and units, and the Tourism Association to actively propagate and disseminate legal regulations on tourism service business, passenger transport services and water entertainment activities to ensure safety for tourists.
Review and evaluate the compliance with legal regulations on tourism business; continue to manage strictly, guide and direct tourism businesses to strictly comply with legal regulations on tourism business activities to ensure safety for tourists.
The Department also proposed and recommended that functional agencies strictly control the management of tourist transport vehicles, especially controlling the departure of buses to take tourists to visit around islands and archipelagos, which must be strict and complete with procedures. Regularly provide information about weather conditions, especially during the peak rainy season and summer tourist peak season, to have warnings for tourists.
