Tour firm employee accused of assigning unqualified captain to boat that killed 15 Indians in Phu Quoc

A tour firm employee in Phu Quoc Island has been accused of assigning an uncertified operator to a speedboat, which overturned and killed 15 Indian tourists in July.

An Giang Province police on Sept. 15 opened criminal proceedings against Phan Vo Kieu Truc Linh, 33, and barred her from leaving her place of residence, on an allegation of assigning a person ineligible to operate a waterway vessel.

Phan Vo Kieu Truc Linh (R), a tour operator employee in Phu Quoc, is at a police station. Photo by Tien Tam

Investigators say Linh, an employee of boat operator Minh Huy PQ Travel Co., assigned Nguyen Hong Hai, 57, to pilot the speedboat AG-26751 despite him not holding the qualifications required to operate it.

The boat overturned in waters off Hon May Rut Ngoai, in the An Thoi area of Phu Quoc Special Zone, on July 11, throwing all 36 people aboard into the sea.

21 were rescued and 15 Indian tourists died.

A group of Indian tourists is rescued after their speedboat overturned in Phu Quoc, July 11, 2026. Photo by Minh Tam

Hai was taken into custody the day after the accident and has been accused of violating regulations on operating waterway vessels.

Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the capsizing and the conduct of others involved.