Halong Bay Tragedy: Dozens Confirmed Dead as Search Continues After Tourist Boat Capsizes

Rescue teams are continuing their desperate search for survivors and missing passengers following the tragic capsizing of a sightseeing vessel, the ‘Wonder Sea’, in Vietnam’s popular Halong Bay. The incident, which occurred Saturday amidst a sudden squall, has claimed at least 34 lives, with 11 individuals successfully rescued so far.

The vessel, reportedly carrying 53 people including 48 tourists and five crew members, lost GPS signal after being overwhelmed by the storm around 1:30 p.m. local time. Search and rescue operations, involving the navy, border guards, police, and port authorities with 27 boats and two rescue craft, are being hampered by heavy rain and dwindling visibility.

Divers have extensively searched the ship’s passenger area, confirming no more bodies there, but concerns remain that some may have drifted outside. The cockpit and engine room are currently inaccessible due to being stuck in mud. Many of the passengers were families from Hanoi, with over 20 children on board, including a 10-year-old boy now in stable condition and a 14-year-old boy who miraculously survived four hours trapped in the sunken cabin.

Survivors like Dang Thuy Linh are pleading for accelerated rescue efforts, expressing fears for loved ones still missing. The capsize occurred near the Dau Go Cave in the UNESCO World Heritage site, a popular tourist hotspot known for its 1,600 limestone islands.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.