At least 35 individuals have tragically lost their lives, including eight children, after a tourist boat capsized in Vietnam's iconic Ha Long Bay during severe weather conditions. The incident occurred while the boat, named Wonder Seas, was carrying 53 passengers, primarily Vietnamese families visiting from Hanoi.
Reports indicate that a sudden storm led to the vessel overturning, with eyewitnesses describing chaotic scenes during the darkening skies around 2 PM local time on Saturday. Witness accounts noted hailstones the size of toes, coupled with torrential rain, thunder, and lightning.
Local police confirmed that ten passengers were successfully rescued from the waters, while search teams are continuing to comb the area in hopes of finding more survivors amidst difficult conditions. One of the fortunate survivors, a 10-year-old boy, recounted how he managed to escape from an air pocket in the overturned boat.
The heartbreaking impact of the tragedy was felt deeply, with grieving family members expressing their anguish. Nguyen Thi Lien, who lost her 21-year-old son, shared her overwhelming desire to swap places with him, expressing her despair. Trang Trung Tu, who lost his brother, stated that the rapid sequence of events made it impossible for even those who could swim to escape.
Authorities are committed to investigating the causes of the accident and ensure that those responsible face consequences. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended condolences to the families affected by this devastating event. Renowned for its stunning landscapes, Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was visited by over four million tourists in 2019, highlighting the region's popularity but also the necessity for rigorous safety measures on tourist vessels. The search for additional victims is ongoing as the community mourns the loss.
