At least 34 people, including children, have died after a tourist boat capsized during a sudden storm in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay; several others remain missing as rescue efforts continue.
nvn news
Sun Jul 20 2025
At least 34 people have died and several are still missing after a tourist boat capsized in Ha Long Bay, a popular tourist spot in northern Vietnam, due to sudden bad weather.
The boat, named Wonder Seas, was carrying 53 people, most of them Vietnamese families from Hanoi, when it was hit by a strong storm on Saturday afternoon.
Rescuers have pulled 11 survivors from the water so far, but heavy rain and rough weather have been making the search difficult. Rescue operations are expected to continue through the night.
Eyewitnesses said the weather changed quickly around 2 PM, bringing hailstones, thunder, lightning, and strong winds. One passenger described the sky suddenly darkening and being caught in the storm.
A 10-year-old boy was rescued after surviving in an air pocket inside the overturned boat. He told local media that he held his breath, swam up, and shouted for help before being rescued.
Among the dead, at least eight were children, according to local reports.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has expressed condolences to the victims' families and ordered a full investigation. Authorities have promised to take action against any negligence or violations.
Ha Long Bay, located in Quang Ninh province, is known for its scenic beauty and attracts millions of tourists each year. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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