New Delhi, July 14, 2026: A profound wave of sorrow washed over Kerala on Tuesday morning as the mortal remains of A.C. Thomas and his wife Loveni Thomas arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport. The beloved couple from Kottarakkara in the Kollam district were among 15 Indian tourists who lost their lives in a horrific speedboat accident off the coast of Vietnam over the weekend. What was intended to be a dream vacation quickly morphed into an unimaginable nightmare, leaving their family, friends, and the local community completely devastated.
Somber Scenes at Thiruvananthapuram Airport
The cargo terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram airport witnessed heart-wrenching scenes on Tuesday morning as an Air India flight from Mumbai carrying the couple’s coffins touched down. Teary-eyed family members, neighbors, and close friends gathered in large numbers, struggling to comprehend the sudden loss. The air was heavy with grief as the wooden caskets were wheeled out after the completion of complex international and airport clearance formalities.
Prominent leaders and state representatives were present at the airport to offer their condolences and pay their final respects. Kerala Ministers P.C. Vishnunadh and C.P. John, along with Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh, placed wreaths on the coffins. Following the completion of the official procedures, the bodies were carefully placed into a specialized ambulance arranged by the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) Department. The convoy then began its somber journey toward the couple’s native town of Kottarakkara, where the community waits to say their final goodbyes.
From a Dream Vacation to an Unthinkable Tragedy
A.C. Thomas, 57, a well-known businessman who owned ‘Victory Medicals’ near the Market Junction in Kottarakkara town, and his wife Loveni Thomas, 56, were deeply respected and admired by everyone who knew them. Described by relatives as incredibly warm and loving people, they had been enthusiastically planning a relaxing holiday abroad.
The timeline below highlights the sequence of events leading up to their tragic end and subsequent repatriation:
Departure from Kerala
July 7, 2026
The couple left Kerala for Chennai to join a pre-booked group tour destined for Vietnam.
Arrival in Vietnam
July 8, 2026
Thomas and Loveni flew out of Chennai and landed in Vietnam, keeping in constant touch with their children and relatives back home, sharing updates about their journey.
The Fatal Accident
July 11, 2026
On Saturday afternoon, a speedboat operating near the popular Phu Quoc Island capsized, claiming the lives of 15 Indian tourists, including the Kerala couple.
Repatriation to India
July 13, 2026
Following coordination by the Indian Embassy, the mortal remains were flown from Vietnam, arriving at Mumbai International Airport late Monday night.
Arrival in Kerala
July 14, 2026
An Air India flight transported the coffins from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday morning, returning the couple to their home state.
The Harrowing Details of the Capsizing
According to reports released by Vietnamese local authorities and media outlets, the tragedy unfolded in the afternoon near Phu Quoc Island, a popular tropical destination in southern Vietnam. The speedboat, operated by the Ocean Pearl Island Company, was ferrying a total of 36 people—consisting of 32 Indian tourists and 4 local crew members—from Hon May Rut Islet to An Thoi Port.
The vessel had barely traveled 400 meters away from the shoreline when the weather suddenly took a turn for the worse. Powerful winds and rough, turbulent waves hit the speedboat, causing the captain to lose control of the vessel. Within moments, the boat capsized entirely, flipping upside down in the choppy waters.
The sudden inversion trapped numerous passengers underneath the hull of the boat, blocking their escape. Nearby tourist boats and local rescue teams rushed to the site within five minutes of the accident, fighting challenging sea conditions to pull survivors out. While rescuers successfully saved 21 individuals, 15 passengers—13 men and 2 women—tragically drowned or succumbed before emergency medical help could revive them. Among the 15 Indian nationals dead, 10 hailed from Tamil Nadu, 3 from Andhra Pradesh, and 2 from Kerala.
Relatives Recount the Shock
Back in Kottarakkara, the family had been receiving happy updates and photos from the couple just hours before the disaster struck. Nelson D. Thomas, a close relative, shared the deep trauma the family experienced upon hearing the news.
Thomas’s brother, Varghese, mentioned that the Indian Embassy in Vietnam and the tour coordinators contacted them directly on Saturday afternoon. Initially, the family was told that the situation was critical, but subsequent confirmations from on-site officials delivered the crushing blow that both Thomas and Loveni had passed away.
Swift Government Intervention and Demands for Investigation
Recognizing the gravity of the international incident, the Kerala State Government acted swiftly. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan immediately directed the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) Roots CEO to liaise with the Vietnamese Embassy and India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to fast-track the bureaucratic paperwork.
Teams from the Indian Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City were dispatched directly to Phu Quoc Island to oversee the identification and documentation processes. Indian Ambassador to Vietnam, Tshering W. Sherpa, worked closely with local authorities to ensure that the rigorous international repatriation guidelines were expedited so the grieving families wouldn’t face prolonged delays.
As the coffins arrived in the state, Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh, who had been actively coordinating with the ambassador, expressed his profound grief and raised concerns regarding the safety protocols observed during the boat ride. He urged the central government to request a comprehensive and transparent inquiry from the Vietnamese government regarding the operational standards of the tour company, checking whether the boat was overcrowded or if adequate life jackets and safety measures were provided to the tourists on board.
A Community in Mourning
As the ambulance makes its way to Kottarakkara, the local town has ground to a near halt, with local shop owners and neighbors gathering near Victory Medicals to pay their respects. A public viewing is expected to be arranged to allow the townspeople to honor the couple who had spent decades serving the local community. The final funeral rites are scheduled to take place at their local church cemetery, bringing a heartbreaking end to a journey that began with smiles and holiday plans.