At least 18 people have died and 12 others were rescued after a tourist boat capsized on Saturday in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, according to state media reports. The boat was carrying 53 people 48 tourists and 5 crew members when it overturned near the famous Dau Go Cave during a sudden thunderstorm, with strong winds and heavy rain linked to Tropical Storm Wipha striking the region. Rescue teams continue to search for over 20 individuals still unaccounted for.
Video footage and official accounts describe the harrowing event where passengers, including around 20 children mostly from Hanoi, struggled as the vessel flipped. Among the survivors was a 14-year-old boy rescued hours after being trapped inside the overturned hull. Authorities have yet to disclose the nationalities of the victims.
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning limestone islands and a popular tourist destination, attracting millions annually. This tragic incident adds to the region’s history of weather-related maritime accidents, including the sinking of 30 vessels last year during Typhoon Yagi.
Officials are conducting ongoing rescue and recovery operations amid the approaching storm, while cautioning tourists and residents about worsening weather conditions. The disaster highlights the dangers posed by sudden tropical storms to tourism and transport safety in Vietnam’s coastal regions.
