At least 34 people have died and several remain unaccounted for after a tourist boat capsized amid severe weather in northern Vietnam.
The tragedy occurred in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Vietnam’s most renowned tourist destinations. According to officials from the Vietnamese Border Guards and navy, the vessel—identified as Wonder Seas—was carrying 53 passengers when it overturned after being struck by a sudden and violent storm.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by heavy rainfall, which continues to hinder visibility and complicate operations. Despite the conditions, emergency teams have managed to pull 11 survivors from the water so far.
The majority of passengers aboard were Vietnamese families visiting from the capital, Hanoi.
One eyewitness described the storm to newsmen, recalling that the skies darkened around 2:00 p.m. local time on Saturday (07:00 GMT). “There were hailstones as big as toes, with torrential rain, thunder, and lightning,” the witness said.
Among those rescued was a 14-year-old boy who was found alive after spending four hours trapped in an air pocket beneath the upturned hull of the boat, according to an official speaking to VNExpress. A 10-year-old boy was also rescued and is reported to be in stable condition at Bai Chay Hospital, hospital director Le Ngoc Dung confirmed.
VNExpress also reported that at least eight of the recovered victims were children.
Authorities say rescue operations will continue through the night in the hope of locating the remaining missing passengers. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
A government statement pledged to determine the cause of the disaster and “strictly handle violations” if any are found.
Ha Long Bay, located in Quang Ninh province, is known for its dramatic limestone islets and emerald waters, drawing over four million tourists in 2019.
