CHINA:( The COW News Digital) –At least 34 tourists lost their lives when a sightseeing boat capsized in stormy weather in Vietnam’s iconic Halong Bay, a tragedy that has shocked the nation and drawn global attention, TCND reported on Sunday.
According to international news agencies, the boat named Wonder Sea was carrying 53 people, including five crew members, when it overturned around 2 pm local time on Saturday.
The incident occurred as Storm Wipha approached the region from the South China Sea, bringing with it fierce winds, torrential rains, and lightning.
The state-run Vietnam News Agency confirmed that 11 people were rescued and 27 bodies have been recovered so far. Among the deceased are at least eight children.
Authorities report that eight people remain missing, as rescue operations continued late into the night.
Most of those on board were domestic tourists—families from the capital city, Hanoi—visiting Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most renowned tourist destinations, known for its emerald waters and towering limestone islands.
A 10-year-old survivor shared his harrowing story with VietnamNet, saying, “I took a deep breath, swam through a gap, dived, then swam up. I even shouted for help, and then I was pulled up by a boat with soldiers.”
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and assured the public that the government would investigate the incident thoroughly.
“Authorities will investigate and clarify the cause of the incident and strictly handle violations,” said an official government statement.
This is not the first maritime disaster to strike the area. Last year, 30 vessels sank in coastal Quang Ninh province—home to Halong Bay—after Typhoon Yagi battered the region with powerful winds and waves.
As search efforts continue, grief hangs over Halong Bay—a place usually celebrated for its beauty but now marked by tragedy.
