At least 15 Indian tourists were killed after a boat carrying visitors capsized off Vietnam’s southern island of Phu Quoc on Saturday, according to Reuters, citing VnExpress and local authorities. The report said 21 people survived the accident.

The vessel was carrying 36 people, comprising 32 Indian tourists, three crew members and one attendant. According to authorities cited by VnExpress, the boat was travelling from Hon May Rut Island to An Thoi Port when it overturned about 400 metres into the sea.

Reuters reported that rough sea conditions and large waves were present in the area when the accident occurred. Earlier, VnExpress said nearby tourist boats rushed to the scene after spotting the overturned vessel.

A boat owner involved in the rescue said his vessel reached the site in about five minutes, but many passengers remained trapped inside the boat. “Only a few people were brought out conscious,” he said.

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The Indian Embassy in Vietnam said it is monitoring the incident and has established emergency response centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to assist affected families. Describing the incident as “tragic,” the embassy posted on X, “Exact details of the incident are being ascertained as search and rescue operations by local authorities are ongoing.”