Vietnam Boat Tragedy...Survivor Recounts the Horror

The boat accident near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam has left several families in Tamil Nadu grieving. Many of the passengers were from different districts of the state, prompting the Tamil Nadu government to monitor the situation closely. One of the survivors, Nirmal Kumar from Dindigul district, shared his traumatic experience after escaping the tragedy.

Nirmal Kumar said he was part of an incentive trip for mobile phone distributors and had travelled to Vietnam on July 8. On July 11, a total of 36 people, including the crew, boarded a speedboat to visit Phu Quoc Island. While returning, the weather suddenly deteriorated, with strong winds and massive waves overturning the boat within moments. He recalled seeing passengers thrown into the sea as panic and chaos unfolded.

The survivor said rescue operations began quickly, helping him escape safely. However, he was devastated to learn that his friend Murugaprabhu, who had travelled with him from Palani, had died in the accident. Nirmal stated that passengers were provided life jackets and safety instructions before departure, adding that the exact cause of the accident is under investigation. He believes rough weather and overcrowding may have contributed to the tragedy.