Tragedy Strikes Ha Long Bay as Tourist Boat Capsizes, Leaving Dozens Dead

A devastating incident in Vietnam's famed Ha Long Bay has left at least 34 people dead after a tourist boat capsized during a sudden storm. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors, with heavy rain complicating the operation.

The vessel, named Wonder Seas, was carrying 53 passengers, most of whom were Vietnamese families visiting from Hanoi. According to a statement from the Vietnamese Border Guards and navy, the boat encountered severe weather, leading to the tragedy. So far, 11 individuals have been rescued, including a 14-year-old boy who survived for four hours in an air pocket within the overturned hull.

Eyewitnesses described the storm as intense, with hailstones "as big as toes" and torrential rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. Among those rescued was a 10-year-old boy, now in stable condition at Bai Chay Hospital. Tragically, at least eight of the recovered bodies were children, according to reports from VNExpress.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, while authorities have pledged to investigate the cause of the accident and address any violations. Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Quang Ninh province, is a major tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors annually before the pandemic.

As rescue operations continue into the night, the focus remains on locating the missing and providing support to those affected by this heartbreaking event.