Indian Ambassador and HCM City's Foreign Department representatives at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport for the transport of 15 bodies of victims in Phú Quốc back to India. — Photo from the HCM City's Department of Foreign Affairs

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam has completed the repatriation of all 15 Indian nationals who died in the Phú Quốc tourist speedboat capsizing incident earlier this month, following extensive coordination with Indian authorities and the victims' families, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

Speaking at the ministry's regular press briefing, spokeswoman Phạm Thu Hằng said the foreign ministry had worked closely with authorities in An Giang Province, the Phú Quốc Special Zone, relevant Vietnamese agencies, the Indian Embassy in Hà Nội and the Consulate General of India in Hồ Chí Minh City immediately after the accident on July 11.

The speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists when it capsized off Phú Quốc waters during severe weather, killing 15 people.

Spokeswoman Hằng said the ministry promptly implemented consular protection measures, handled matters relating to the Indian citizens involved and coordinated the return of the victims' remains in accordance with the wishes of their families.

Vietnamese diplomatic missions in India also worked closely with India's Ministry of External Affairs and local authorities in the victims' home localities to ensure the smooth reception and handover of the remains to their families, she added.

"Immediately after all legal procedures were completed and the handover with the competent Indian authorities was finalised, the remains of all 15 victims were transported to their respective hometowns in India in accordance with their families' wishes," Hằng said.

She added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had instructed the Vietnamese Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate General of Việt Nam in Mumbai to continue coordinating with authorities in Phú Quốc and relevant Indian agencies to arrange appropriate expressions of sympathy and condolences for the bereaved families.

"Once again, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims," the spokeswoman said. 

Chairman of Phú Quốc Special Zone Trần Minh Khoa (right) has come to Chợ Rẫy Hospital in HCM City on July 21 to visit the Indian patient after his recovery from the critical condition he was in following the speedboat incident in Phú Quốc. — VNA/VNS Photo

Per the latest update, the last injured victim who fell into a critical state following the incident has regained consciousness and is recovering well.

The Indian man has been transferred from Phú Quốc to a leading hospital in HCM City, with the total costs of treatment covered by Phú Quốc's local authorities.

In the next few days, when his vitals improve, the patient could be discharged and return home.

In the aftermath of the incident, on July 15, An Giang Provincial Police launched a criminal investigation into the fatal incident, and temporarily detained the boat's captain, Nguyễn Hồng Hải (born 1969), to investigate alleged violations of regulations on waterway transport.

An Giang Province has also conducted inspections of tourist boat operations in Phú Quốc and tightened oversight of operators.— VNS