Tragedy Strikes as Tourist Boat Capsizes in Halong Bay, Vietnam

A catastrophic event unfolded on July 19 in Halong Bay, Vietnam, when a tourist boat carrying 48 passengers and five crew members capsized due to a sudden thunderstorm. As a result, local media reports confirm the tragic loss of at least 37 lives, while 10 individuals were successfully rescued and 47 people have been recovered thus far. Authorities have indicated that the identities of four victims are still being verified.

The incident occurred near Ti Top Island, part of the renowned Ha Long Bay World Heritage Site, shortly after 1:45 PM local time. The boat, known as Vinh Xanh 58, was eventually salvaged and brought ashore on the morning of July 20 for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disaster. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh responded swiftly by issuing an urgent directive for the mobilization of resources and personnel to enhance search and rescue operations in the area.

Most of the boat's passengers hailed from Hanoi and traveled with family members, including a significant number of children. Reports indicate that the oldest passenger was 53 years old, while the youngest was only three. Efforts to right the capsized vessel are ongoing; however, strong currents and the ship's weight have hindered divers from successfully looping cables around it.

Additionally, weather experts highlighted that the persistent rainfall in northern Vietnam was not directly linked to approaching Storm Wipha, rather than being caused by existing wind patterns in the region. In a related weather development, Hong Kong authorities have issued a T10 signal warning as Typhoon Wipha approaches, prompting the cancellation of over 500 flights and urging the public to take necessary precautions.