At least 34 people have died and more than a dozen are still missing after a tourist boat capsized in Vietnam’s famous Ha Long Bay during severe weather on Saturday. The vessel, identified as Wonder Seas, was carrying 53 people mainly Vietnamese families from the capital, Hanoi when it overturned amid a sudden and violent storm.
The incident occurred around 2:00 PM local time (07:00 GMT), when skies rapidly darkened and a fierce thunderstorm struck the area. Witnesses described hailstones “as big as toes” accompanied by torrential rain, thunder, and lightning. The chaos unfolded in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its emerald waters and towering limestone islands, located in Quang Ninh province.
Rescue teams from the Vietnamese Border Guards and navy have been battling harsh conditions, including heavy rain, to search for survivors. So far, 11 people have been pulled alive from the water, including a 14-year-old boy found trapped in an air pocket within the upturned hull after four hours. A 10-year-old boy was also rescued and is in stable condition at Bai Chay Hospital, according to hospital director Le Ngoc Dung.
Authorities report that at least eight children are among the confirmed dead. With 14 people still unaccounted for, rescue operations are continuing through the night despite challenging weather.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed deep condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and promised a thorough investigation. “Violations will be strictly handled,” a government statement read, suggesting scrutiny over vessel safety protocols and weather advisories.
Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s top tourist destinations, welcomed over 4 million visitors in 2019. This tragedy has cast a shadow over the region’s tourism sector and raised serious concerns about safety measures in place for recreational cruises.
As the nation mourns, questions remain about how a modern vessel with dozens aboard could be so vulnerable to a sudden storm. Authorities now face the urgent task of not only locating the missing but also restoring public trust in Vietnam’s tourism safety.
