Tourist boat tragedy in Vietnam: 34 dead, many missing as vessel capsizes in Ha Long Bay during thunderstorm

At least 34 people died and several went missing after a tourist boat carrying more than 50 people capsized during a sudden thunderstorm in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay on Saturday, as per reports by several state media, cited by AP. The vessel reportedly carried 48 passengers and five crew members. The boat turned upside down because of strong winds.

As of now, the exact number of missing passengers remains unclear. However, dozens are feared to have been swept away. Most of those on board were families, with more than 20 children among the passengers, who came to visit from Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi. As many as 12 people have been rescued so far, while the border guards have recovered 18 bodies from the water.

The boat overturned after it was hit by sudden heavy rain while touring the UNESCO World Heritage site, reported the Dan Tri news site. A 14-year-old boy was among the survivors, and he was rescued four hours after being trapped in the overturned hull. The search and rescue operations continued till late at night as authorities tried to locate the missing people.

Reportedly, millions of people visit Ha Long Bay annually. The site is famous for its blue-green waters and rainforest-covered limestone islands. Notably, in the year 2023, Typhoon Yagi battered the area with strong winds and high waves. Around 30 vessels sank in Quang Ninh province, which encompasses Ha Long Bay.

Local officials said sudden weather changes, which are common in the region, pose a recurring threat to tourist vessels, especially during the monsoon season.

According to the source: Times of India.