Reports indicate that at least 34 individuals lost their lives when a sudden thunderstorm hit a tourist boat in Vietnam on Saturday. The vessel, known as Wonder Seas, had 48 passengers and five crew members on board during a trip to the well-known Ha Long Bay.
Rescue teams were able to save 11 people, recovering the deceased near the site where the boat capsized, according to vNexpress. A search is ongoing for those still missing.
Video footage captured the chaos, showing survivors being assisted by smaller boats amid turbulent waters. Some individuals were seen clinging to the overturned hull of the Wonder Seas, awaiting rescue. It appears the intense winds caused the boat to flip, and one 14-year-old boy was rescued after being trapped for about four hours.
In a remarkable account, rescuers managed to reach a baby found alive inside the submerged hull, thanks to a small opening that allowed for some air flow. A hospital director confirmed a 10-year-old boy was also rescued and is currently stable at Bai Chay Hospital.
Meanwhile, witnesses described the weather conditions getting dire just before the accident, with darkening skies, heavy hail, rain, and thunder reported. This sudden shift in weather seems to have caught many by surprise. There’s been no indication that any Americans were on the boat, and inquiries are being made with the State Department for further details.
Ha Long Bay, nestled in Quang Ninh Province, is one of Vietnam’s most famous natural sites, famed for its stunning limestone islands. Local folklore suggests the area’s unique formations were created by the tail of a descending dragon colliding with the sea.
