‘We tried CPR, but it was too late,’ say Vietnam boat tragedy witnesses on return to Hyderabad

“We tried administering CPR to them, but it was too late,” recalled Mahipal Sanghvi as he landed in Hyderabad on Sunday night (July 12), a day after witnessing the boat tragedy off Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island. The victims, pulled out of the water by rescue teams, were brought ashore where fellow tourists attempted to revive them before they were declared dead.

People from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other States, who were stranded in Vietnam following the accident, arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) on Sunday night. Family members gathered at the airport more than an hour before the flight’s arrival, anxiously waiting to receive their loved ones.

Mahipal Sanghvi, a resident of Vijayawada, said he was part of a group of around 80 tourists who had travelled to Vietnam on July 8.

“We reached Phu Quoc Island on July 11. Some members of our group were taking part in water activities while I remained on the island. After some time, we were informed that a boat was involved in an accident. Rescue teams brought those who had fallen into the water back to the shore. We tried administering CPR to them, but it was too late, and they were declared dead,” he said.

Another survivor, Ganesh from Hyderabad, said a large number of tourists from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were part of the overall tour.

“There were around 20 to 30 people from Hyderabad in the overall tour group,” he added.

Ganesh said the support extended by the Andhra Pradesh government after the tragedy had been reassuring.

Srinivas, a resident of West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, said he was part of a separate group of 24 tourists and had narrowly escaped the tragedy. “We were waiting for our boat to arrive when the accident happened to the boat ahead of us. We could see the strong flow of water, which was dangerous,” he said.

He added that about three passengers from Andhra Pradesh and eight from Telangana were among those who returned on the same flight that landed in Hyderabad on Sunday night.

Another passenger, Rameshwar Pradhan, said the group had travelled to Vietnam and a total of 105 people were part of the tour. “We had travelled to Phu Quoc Island and were scheduled to visit another nearby island. The group was divided into three boats. The first boat had travelled about one kilometre when it lost control in rough waters and overturned,” he said.

According to Mr. Pradhan, the boat was carrying 34 people. “A few people were rescued safely, while the remaining passengers fell into the water. Two people are in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at a hospital on the island,” he said.

Mr. Pradhan said rescue efforts began immediately after the accident. “The Vietnamese naval team responded quickly, and the Indian Embassy also extended immediate assistance. The injured were admitted to the hospital and are undergoing treatment. We are awaiting further updates,” he said.

He added that 17 members of the tour group had returned on the flight that landed in Hyderabad on Sunday night, while efforts were continuing to assist those who remained in Vietnam.