Tourist Boat Capsizes in Storm, Claiming at Least 35 Lives and Sparking Urgent Search for Missing

In Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, a search and rescue operation was underway on Sunday following a tragic boat capsizing. At least 35 people had died, and rescuers were desperately seeking four individuals still missing. The incident occurred in one of Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations.

The tourist boat, named "Wonder Sea," was carrying families on a tour of the famed Ha Long Bay when it was struck by a severe storm on Saturday. The vessel capsized, resulting in one of the deadliest disasters ever recorded at the UNESCO World Heritage site. According to a provincial police report, the boat had 46 passengers and three crew members on board.

The storm brought sudden heavy rain, contributing to the capsizing. A local resident described the weather as turning dark, with hailstones, torrential rain, thunderstorms, and lightning. Most of the passengers were families visiting from Hanoi, including over 20 children.

By Sunday, authorities had recovered 35 bodies and rescued 10 people. Four individuals remained unaccounted for. One of the survivors, a 10-year-old boy, recounted his harrowing experience, describing how he swam through a gap and was eventually rescued by a boat with soldiers.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and instructed the defense and public security ministries to prioritize the search and rescue efforts.