Chennai, July 11 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Saturday expressed profound grief over the deaths of several Indian tourists, including people from Tamil Nadu, in a tourist boat tragedy off the coast of Vietnam.

He also announced that the state government had initiated coordinated efforts with the Union government and Indian diplomatic authorities to assist those affected and facilitate the return of the victims’ mortal remains.

In a statement, the Chief Minister said he was deeply distressed to learn about the accident involving a tourist boat carrying Indian visitors to Hon May Rut Ngoai Island in Vietnam’s An Thoi sea region. The tragedy claimed the lives of tourists from Tamil Nadu as well as other Indian states, while several others were reportedly injured.

Describing the incident as heartbreaking, Vijay conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and assured them that the Tamil Nadu government would extend every possible assistance during this difficult period.

The Chief Minister said he had instructed senior state officials to immediately gather details of all Tamil Nadu residents involved in the accident.

He directed them to work in close coordination with Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs and senior officials at the Indian Embassy in Vietnam to monitor the situation and ensure that relief and rescue efforts were carried out without delay.

He also ordered officials to maintain constant contact with Indian diplomatic authorities in Vietnam to ensure that injured passengers receive timely medical treatment and all necessary support. The state government, he said, would continue to coordinate with the embassy until every affected Tamil Nadu resident received appropriate assistance.

Vijay further directed officials to initiate the necessary procedures through the Indian Embassy for the early repatriation of the bodies of those who lost their lives in the accident.

He said every effort would be made to ensure that the victims’ mortal remains were brought back to Tamil Nadu as quickly as possible so that their families could perform the final rites.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the Tamil Nadu government stood firmly with the affected families and would extend all possible support in coordination with the Government of India.

Expressing his heartfelt sympathies, he conveyed his deepest condolences to the families and relatives of those who died in the tragedy and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the accident.

–IANS

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