Vietnam PM Orders Thorough Investigation into Deadly Phu Quoc Boat Accident

A severe maritime accident occurred off the coast of Phu Quoc island in An Giang province, southern Vietnam, resulting in the capsizing of a passenger boat and the deaths of 15 people. Following this tragic incident, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has issued an urgent directive ordering relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, impose strict penalties, and implement measures to prevent similar accidents. The accident took place around 1:00 PM on July 11, off the coast approximately 200 meters from An Thoi port on Phu Quoc island. The vessel involved was passenger boat AG-26751, carrying 32 Indian tourists and three crew members (a pilot, an engineer, and a staff member). The boat was en route from Hon May Rut island to An Thoi port. Immediately after the accident, the Prime Minister conveyed his sincere condolences to the victims and expressed deep sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives. He also directed the mobilization of relevant agencies, including the police, Ministry of Construction, and the People's Committee of An Giang province, along with medical personnel, the coast guard, and border guards, to the scene to focus on mitigating the aftermath of the accident. To ensure prompt handling of the consequences and prevent future similar traffic accidents, the Prime Minister instructed the People's Committee of An Giang province to arrange all necessary medical conditions and supplies for treating the injured, minimizing losses of life and property for residents and tourists. He also tasked them with organizing visits and offering support to the families of the deceased, directly chairing meetings with relevant agencies and forces to assess the causes, and implementing solutions for any existing shortcomings. Furthermore, they are to urgently clarify the direct and indirect causes related to the accident to serve as a basis for future prevention efforts. The Ministry of Public Security has been directed to instruct the An Giang Provincial Police and relevant units to urgently investigate and clarify the cause of the accident, and to strictly handle any organizations or individuals who violated regulations and caused this severe maritime traffic accident, in accordance with the law. The Ministry of Construction is to direct relevant units to urgently review and inspect the safety assurance of inland waterway and maritime traffic in the accident area and similar regions. They are also to strengthen the management of passenger transportation by watercraft, inspect compliance with regulations regarding the safety conditions of vessels, life-saving and rescue equipment, the qualifications of vessel operators, and the procedures for picking up and dropping off passengers, in order to promptly address any shortcomings or safety risks and prevent similar accidents. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to urgently coordinate closely with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam and other relevant agencies to promptly carry out consular work, citizen protection, and address issues related to Indian citizens. This incident highlights the necessity of reviewing and strengthening Vietnam's maritime traffic safety management system, particularly for passenger vessels carrying numerous tourists, where adherence to safety standards and regular inspections are crucial. Source: Nhan Dan