A devastating boat accident has struck a popular tourist spot in Vietnam, leaving more than 30 people dead.
The incident occurred on Saturday when a tourist boat carrying 48 passengers and five crew members capsized in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, due to sudden heavy rain and stormy weather.
Rescue Efforts Underway
According to state media reports, border guards rescued 11 people and recovered 34 bodies, with eight people still missing.
Relief personnel are continuing their search and rescue operation to locate the missing individuals.
An office worker in Ha Long Bay, Tran Trong Hung, described the storm, saying, “The sky turned dark at around 2pm, with hailstones as big as toes, torrential rain, thunderstorm, and lightning.”
Survivor’s Harrowing Experience
One of the rescued, a 10-year-old boy, shared his terrifying experience, saying, “I took a deep breath, swam through a gap, dived, then swam up. I even shouted for help, then I was pulled up by a boat with soldiers.”
Prime Minister Offers Condolences
Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, has sent his condolences to the families of the deceased and called on the defence and public security ministries to conduct an urgent search and rescue operation.
The government has also announced that it will investigate and clarify the cause of the incident and strictly handle any violations.
Ha Long Bay – A Popular Tourist Destination
Ha Long Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin, is a tourist mecca, attracting millions of visitors each year with its stunning blue-green waters and rainforest-topped limestone islands.
Last year, 30 vessels sank at boat lock areas in coastal Quang Ninh province along Ha Long Bay after Typhoon Yagi brought strong wind and waves.