Storm Wipha unleashed chaos Saturday as a tourist boat capsized in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, triggering the tragedy. Officials confirmed that 34 people died and several others remain missing after the vessel overturned during the afternoon storm.
The boat Wonder Seas carried 53 people, most of them families from Hanoi, who were enjoying a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site. Around 2 p.m. local time, the boat encountered violent weather, with heavy rain, hail, lightning, and strong winds that tipped it.
Authorities said the vessel flipped quickly, catching passengers off guard as waves crashed against the sides during the freak storm. Rescue teams managed to save 11 people, including a 10-year-old boy who escaped by swimming from an air pocket below deck.
VNExpress reported that at least 8 of the recovered bodies were children, heightening the sorrow gripping the country. Search and recovery operations continued late into the evening as storm conditions slowed the efforts of the Vietnamese navy and border guards.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent condolences to the grieving families and ordered a full investigation into the boat’s capsizing. The government promised to strictly handle any rule violations and determine whether tour operators followed weather-related safety protocols.
Ha Long Bay, with its emerald waters and limestone islets, draws millions of tourists annually, making safety a high priority. The boat capsized just as the skies darkened, and one eyewitness described hail as big as toes pelting the area.
