What began as a reward trip to Vietnam for Lava Mobiles’ distributors and associates ended in a devastating tragedy on Saturday when a tourist speedboat capsized near Phu Quoc Island, killing 15 Indians.
The group was on a company-sponsored foreign trip when the accident took place during a sightseeing excursion. The speedboat, carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members, overturned shortly after leaving Hon May Rut Ngoai Island while returning to An Thoi Port. Among those killed were 10 people from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala.
Lava Confirms Death of 15 People Linked to Company
Lava Mobiles confirmed that 14 of those who died were its channel partners, while one was a member of the company’s team. In a statement posted on X, the company said it was deeply saddened by the loss.
“We at Lava are deeply saddened to confirm that 14 of our channel partners and one member of our Lava team have tragically lost their lives in a boat accident near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. Our hearts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. This is an unimaginable tragedy, and we stand with them during this time of profound grief,” the company said.
Lava added that it is in constant touch with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam and local authorities to ensure the earliest possible repatriation of the mortal remains. The company said its immediate priority is to support every affected family, and teams in both India and Vietnam are extending all possible assistance.
Survivor Recalls Boat Overturning Within Minutes
One of the survivors, Lava employee Nirmal Kumar, described the terrifying moments before the accident. He said the group was travelling in a closed speedboat carrying around 36 people. According to him, the boat overturned within three minutes of starting its journey after being hit by a powerful storm.
Kumar said around 20 passengers sitting near the front managed to escape through a window. However, those seated towards the back became trapped inside the overturned boat. He said about 15 passengers could not escape and lost their lives.
Over 100 Lava Associates Were on Vietnam Visit
Kumar confirmed that the victims and survivors were part of a company trip organised by Lava Mobiles. According to sources, around 110 Lava distributors and employees from South India had travelled to Vietnam as part of the company’s reward and incentive programme. The group had gathered for sightseeing near Phu Quoc Island when the accident occurred.
Rescue Operation and Investigation
Vietnamese authorities launched a large-scale rescue operation involving border guards, the navy, coast guard and other emergency teams. The operation was made difficult by strong winds and rough sea conditions. A total of 21 people, including all four crew members, survived the accident. Two survivors remain in critical condition.
Authorities believe heavy winds and high waves may have caused the speedboat to overturn, though an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident. The Indian Embassy in Hanoi is coordinating with Vietnamese authorities and assisting the families of the victims.
Also Read: 15 Indian Tourists Killed As Speedboat Capsizes Near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island https://www.vibesofindia.com/vietnam-phu-quoc-boat-capsize-15-indian-tourists-killed/
