What started as a scenic family getaway turned into a heartbreaking disaster in Vietnam’s famous Ha Long Bay.
At least 34 people have died and several more are missing after a tourist boat capsized during a sudden thunderstorm, marking one of the deadliest boat incidents in the region in recent years.
Sudden Storm Hits Popular Tourist Spot
The incident happened around 2 p.m. local time on Saturday, when the “Wonder Sea” tourist boat was out on the water with 53 people aboard.
Among them were 48 tourists—mostly families visiting from Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital—and five crew members.
The group included 20 children, enjoying what was meant to be a peaceful boat tour through the bay’s emerald waters and limestone islands.
Lives Lost as Boat Overturns
Unfortunately, the sudden arrival of a fierce thunderstorm caught the vessel in rough weather.
Powerful winds, heavy rain, and flashes of lightning battered the boat, eventually causing it to overturn.
Rescue teams have confirmed that 27 bodies have been recovered so far—eight of them children.
The confirmed death toll has now reached at least 34, with eight people still unaccounted for.
Teen Survivor Pulled from Wreckage
There have been a few miracles amid the chaos.
A 14-year-old boy was found alive, having survived four hours trapped inside the overturned hull before being rescued.
So far, 11 people in total have been saved by emergency crews, who continue to search the area for more survivors.
Search and Rescue Efforts Ongoing
A massive response is underway involving Vietnam’s police, navy, port authorities, and border guards.
Divers have been searching both the cabin of the capsized boat and surrounding waters, hoping to find more missing passengers.
Twenty-seven boats and two rescue crafts are actively participating in the search.
Boat Lost GPS Signal After Storm Struck
According to local reports from VNExpress, the boat had set off through Ha Long Bay around 12:55 p.m., but the storm struck just 35 minutes later.
By 2:05 p.m., the boat had lost its GPS signal entirely.
Authorities from the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee confirmed this timeline as the investigation into the incident continues.
Tourists’ Nationalities Still Unclear
Although most of the passengers are believed to be Vietnamese, officials have not yet confirmed the nationalities of everyone on board.
As of now, emergency crews remain focused on finding those still missing, with the hope of recovering more survivors.
Storm Wipha Worsens Weather Conditions
The storm that hit the Wonder Sea is part of the system linked to Storm Wipha, the third typhoon of the year to hit the South China Sea.
It’s expected to make landfall along Vietnam’s northern coast in the coming days, worsening conditions further and possibly hampering recovery efforts.
Flights Diverted as Weather Disrupts Travel
The chaos hasn’t just been limited to the sea. The stormy weather has also disrupted air travel.
Noi Bai Airport reported that nine incoming flights had to be redirected to other airports, and three departing flights were delayed on Saturday due to unsafe flying conditions.
Ha Long Bay’s Tourism in the Spotlight
Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most treasured tourist destinations, drawing tens of thousands of visitors every year for its natural beauty and popular boat tours.
But this tragic event has put a spotlight on safety concerns in the region, especially during typhoon season.