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

“We tried giving them CPR, but it was too late,” recalled Mahipal Sanghvi, who landed in Hyderabad on Sunday night (July 12), a day after witnessing the boat tragedy off Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island. The victims were pulled from the water by rescuers and brought to shore, where other tourists tried 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 plane’s departure and waited anxiously to greet their loved ones.

Mahipal Sanghvi, a resident of Vijayawada, said she was part of a group of about 80 tourists who traveled to Vietnam on July 8.

“We reached Phu Quoc Island on July 11. While I was staying on the island, some members of our group were participating in water activities. After a while, we received news that a boat had an accident. Rescue teams brought those who fell into the water back to the shore. We tried to give them heart massage, but it was too late and they were declared dead.”

Another survivor, Ganesh from Hyderabad, said that 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 given by the Andhra Pradesh government following the tragedy was reassuring.

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

Around three passengers from Andhra Pradesh and eight from Telangana were among those returning on the same flight that landed in Hyderabad on Sunday night, he added.

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

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

Mr. Pradhan said rescue efforts began immediately after the accident. “The Vietnamese naval team intervened quickly and the Indian Embassy also provided immediate assistance. The injured were taken to hospital and receiving treatment. We are waiting for more information,” he said.

He added that 17 members of the tour group returned on the plane that landed in Hyderabad on Sunday night, and that efforts were continuing to help those remaining in Vietnam.