Tragic Boat Capsizing in Ha Long Bay Claims 35 Lives, Several Still Missing
A tourist boat, Wonder Seas, capsized in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay during a sudden storm, killing at least 35 people, including eight children, with several still missing. The vessel, carrying 53 passengers, mostly Vietnamese families, was hit by torrential rain and lightning. Ten survivors were rescued, including a boy who escaped an air pocket. Authorities are investigating, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh offered condolences.
Enet
On Saturday, a devastating incident unfolded in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its scenic limestone islets, when the tourist vessel Wonder Seas capsized during a sudden and severe storm. The boat, carrying 53 passengers, primarily Vietnamese families from Hanoi, was struck by torrential rain, large hailstones, thunderstorms, and lightning around 14:00 local time (07:00 GMT). Authorities confirmed at least 35 fatalities, including eight children, with several individuals still unaccounted for.
Local police reported that 10 survivors were rescued from the water, while a 10-year-old boy managed a remarkable escape from an air pocket within the upturned hull. “I took a deep breath, dived, then swam up. I even shouted for help, then I was pulled up by a boat,” the boy, who was traveling with his parents, told VietnamNet.
The tragedy has left families in profound grief. Nguyen Thi Lien, the mother of a 21-year-old victim, shared her anguish with Reuters, stating, “All I want to do is die. I don’t want anything in this world anymore, I’m so tired.” Trang Trung Tu, who lost his 32-year-old brother, told reporters, “My brother can swim, but I was told everything happened too fast,” highlighting the storm’s overwhelming intensity.
Rescue operations, hampered by persistent heavy rain, continued overnight into Sunday as teams searched for survivors. The Vietnamese Border Guards and navy noted the storm’s abrupt onset as a key factor in the disaster. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, and the government vowed to investigate the incident thoroughly, promising to “strictly handle violations” related to the accident’s cause.
Ha Long Bay, located in Quang Ninh province, is a major tourist destination, attracting four million visitors in 2019. Initial reports citing 37 deaths and 11 survivors were later revised by authorities. The investigation into the capsizing is ongoing, as the nation mourns this profound loss.
