In Official Notice No. 3, issued on July 13, Chairman Tran Minh Khoa provided the media with an update on the investigation and ongoing efforts to deal with the aftermath of the serious speedboat accident involving tourists in the locality.
The statement said that the relevant authorities are working urgently to safeguard the rights and interests of the victims and their families.
As of the evening of July 12, 14 Indian tourists who had been rescued from the accident had left Phu Quoc for Ho Chi Minh City or completed departure procedures to leave Viet Nam. All were reported to be in stable health.
Regarding the fatalities, the bodies of 15 victims were transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City Forensic Centre at 8 p.m. the same day for preservation and the completion of legal procedures in accordance with requests from the Indian authorities.
In relation to medical treatment for the injured, at 9:35 a.m. on July 13, an Indian patient whose condition had become more complicated was airlifted to Ho Chi Minh City for further treatment. The transfer was coordinated by specialist doctors from Phu Quoc Sun International Hospital in cooperation with Cho Ray Hospital.
The Chairman of the People's Committee of the Phu Quoc Special Administrative Zone personally visited Phu Quoc International Airport to offer encouragement to the patient's family and presented them with financial assistance of 88 million VND (approximately 3,400 USD).
According to Khoa, the final two rescued tourists also completed procedures to leave the island later on July 13.
Representatives of the local authorities met with the survivors, offered their support, and presented financial assistance of 18 million VND (approximately 700 USD) to each individual. In addition, representatives of three families of those who lost their lives received a total of 264 million VND in financial support (equivalent to approximately 3,400 USD per victim).
The remaining financial assistance will be disbursed once official coordination and confirmation are received from the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City.
Regarding the investigation, the An Giang Provincial Police Investigation Agency has formally initiated criminal proceedings.
Police have also taken Nguyen Hong Hai (born in 1969, permanently residing in Son Kien Commune, An Giang Province, and temporarily residing in the Phu Quoc Special Administrative Zone) into custody to investigate alleged legal violations related to the waterway accident.
A statement signed by Chairman Tran Minh Khoa read: "Strictly implementing the Prime Minister's directives in Official Dispatch No. 47/CD-TTg dated July 11, as well as the conclusions of Ho Van Mung, Chairman of the People's Committee of An Giang Province, the provincial authorities and the administration of the Phu Quoc Special Administrative Zone remain committed to taking swift and decisive action to ensure the highest level of safety for visitors, prevent similar incidents from occurring, and reaffirm Phu Quoc's reputation as a safe, welcoming, and responsible destination for friends from around the world."
