Kerala Minister Visits Vietnam Boat Tragedy Victims' Family
Bindu Krishna said the Kerala government acted immediately after receiving news of the tragedy, with Chief Minister VD Satheesan personally monitoring coordination efforts
Kollam: Kerala Minister Bindu Krishna on Saturday visited the family of A.C. Thomas and his wife, Loveni Thomas, from Kottarakkara, who lost their lives in the recent boat accident in Vietnam, and offered her condolences.
The minister said two of the 15 Indians killed in the tragedy were from Kerala and assured that the state government is coordinating with Vietnamese authorities and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to expedite the repatriation of the victims' mortal remains.
"It is deeply saddening to learn about the boat accident in Vietnam and the 15 Indians killed, out of whom two are from Kerala. I visited the house of the deceased. Their children, mother, and other relatives are currently at home, devastated by the loss," she told ANI.
Bindu Krishna said the Kerala government acted immediately after receiving news of the tragedy, with Chief Minister VD Satheesan personally monitoring coordination efforts.
She said the Chief Minister directed the NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs) CEO to gather information from Vietnamese officials and has been in constant touch with the External Affairs Minister to ensure the early return of the mortal remains.
Earlier on Saturday, a tourist speedboat carrying 36 people, including 32 Indian tourists, capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island off Phu Quoc. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam confirmed that all 15 people who died in the accident were Indian tourists.
Chief Minister VD Satheesan also expressed condolences on X, confirming the deaths of A.C. Thomas (57) and Loveni Thomas (56), and said the state government is working with the MEA to complete procedures and bring the bodies back home.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Minister Kondapalli Srinivas also expressed grief over the tragedy, stating that around 15 to 16 Indians were feared dead. He said three victims were from Andhra Pradesh, one person was in the ICU, and about 33 people from the state were travelling in the boat.
