A tragic accident struck Vietnam’s Halong Bay on Saturday when a tourist boat capsized during a sudden squall, leaving at least 38 people dead. Rescue operations are still underway as divers continue searching for those missing.
According to Vietnamese state media outlet Vietnamnet, the boat, identified as Wonder Sea, was carrying 53 individuals—48 tourists and 5 crew members—when it capsized around 1:30 p.m. local time.
The storm caused the vessel to overturn and subsequently lose GPS signal, as reported by VN Express, citing the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee.
Rescue efforts have mobilized a large response involving the navy, police, border guards, port authorities, and 27 boats with two rescue craft. However, operations have been hindered by heavy rainfall and poor visibility after nightfall.
Among those confirmed on board were over 20 children, with passengers primarily from the capital city, Hanoi. The youngest was just 3 years old, and the oldest was 53. A 10-year-old boy is recovering in stable condition after sustaining multiple injuries, according to a local hospital director.
Remarkably, a 14-year-old boy survived after being trapped in the sunken cabin for four hours, according to eyewitness Bui Cong Hoan, deputy head of the Ha Long Cruise Ship Association.
Diver Đinh Khắc Giông told Vietnamnet that while the main passenger areas have been searched, the cockpit and engine room remain difficult to access due to being stuck in mud. “I only worry that some bodies may have drifted outside,” he added.
One survivor, Dang Thuy Linh, who is currently being treated at the provincial hospital, spoke to VTV in a televised interview: “I have lost contact with my son, my husband, and my friend’s entire family,” she said. “Please don’t leave anyone behind. There is so little air left. There is still a small chance of survival.”
The disaster occurred near Dau Go Cave, a well-known landmark in Halong Bay—a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its limestone karsts and scenic islets.
Vietnam’s government confirmed 38 deaths and 10 rescues, according to Reuters. All the tourists on board were Vietnamese nationals.
Rescue teams are racing against time to find any remaining survivors as the nation mourns one of the deadliest maritime disasters in recent years.
