At least 34 people lost their lives when a tourist boat capsized in a storm while navigating the waters of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam on Saturday afternoon, according to rescue teams.
The VNEXPRESS news outlet reported that the boat was carrying 48 passengers and five crew members when it encountered unexpected heavy rain in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Most passengers were families visiting from the capital, Hanoi, and there were reportedly more than 20 children on board.
“The border guards rescued 11 individuals and recovered the bodies of 34,” a spokesperson mentioned. Efforts to find eight people who remain missing continued into the night.
Tran Trong Hung, an office worker in Ha Long Bay, shared with AFP that the storm hit around 2 PM.
“The sky darkened, and then it was like a big hailstorm with serious rain, thunder, and lightning,” he described.
A 10-year-old boy who was rescued recounted his experience to a local news outlet.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed condolences to the families affected and urged the Ministry of Defense and Public Security to expedite search and rescue operations.
Authorities have vowed to investigate the incident further and address any violations that contributed to the tragedy, as stated in a government announcement.
The boat, carrying 53 people in total, capsized around 2 PM local time as Storm Wipha approached the region.
Northern Hanoi, about 175 km away, also experienced heavy rain and strong winds on the same day, leading to fallen trees.
This storm followed a three-day heat wave, with temperatures reaching as high as 37°C in some regions.
My Van Kiem, director of the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Prediction, noted that the thunderstorms across northern Vietnam were not directly linked to the effects of Tropical Storm Wipha.
Ha Long Bay is renowned as one of Vietnam’s top tourist spots, attracting millions annually to its stunning limestone formations and lush green landscapes.
Last year, several ships sank in the boat lock area of Quang Ninh Province, which borders Ha Long Bay.
