A violent storm in Vietnam led to a tragic incident on Saturday when a tourist boat capsized, resulting in the death of at least 34 people, including children. Eight others are still missing following the disaster. The boat, named Wonder Sea, was carrying 49 tourists and five crew members on a sightseeing tour of the popular Ha Long Bay when it was hit by a sudden storm around 1:30 p.m. local time. The heavy rain and winds caused the boat to tilt and eventually overturn.
An eyewitness described the sudden change in weather, with the sky turning dark and torrential rain and hailstones the size of toes falling from the sky amidst thunder and lightning. The boat was near Dua Go Cave, a major landmark in the northern part of the country, when it capsized.
Emergency services, including border guards, navy units, police, and port authorities, were quick to respond to the distressing scene. They deployed 27 boats and two rescue crafts in a desperate attempt to save lives. As of now, 11 people have been rescued and 34 bodies have been recovered, including eight children. The search continues for the remaining missing victims.
Among the survivors was a 10-year-old boy who managed to swim to safety despite his injuries. He is currently in stable condition at a local hospital. Another survivor, a 14-year-old, was trapped inside the sunken cabin of the hull for four hours. Despite the cabin doors being locked, an air pocket allowed for oxygen to enter, enabling the boy to survive.
The passengers, all Vietnamese, were families visiting from Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi. The oldest passenger was 54, and the youngest was just three years old. More than 20 children were on board the ill-fated boat.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and urged public safety officials to expedite the search and rescue operations. The incident occurred as Tropical storm Wipha, the third typhoon to hit the South China Sea this year, is expected to reach Vietnam’s northern coast early next week.