Overview of the Incident
On Saturday, a tragic accident occurred in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. A tourist boat, named Wonder Sea, carrying 48 passengers and five crew members, capsized due to heavy rainfall. At least 34 people lost their lives, and eight others remain missing.
Background on Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracts millions of visitors annually due to its emerald waters and limestone islands covered in tropical vegetation. The bay is located in Quang Ninh province, where 30 boats sank last year following the impact of Tropical Storm Yagi.
Details of the Accident
The Wonder Sea was navigating through Ha Long Bay when intense rainfall caused the boat to capsize. According to VNExpress, border guards rescued 11 individuals and found 34 bodies. The majority of the passengers were families from Hanoi, the capital, including more than 20 children.
“I took a deep breath, swam through a narrow spot, dived, and then swam to the surface. I shouted for help, and soldiers in a boat pulled me out,” recounted a 10-year-old survivor to VietnamNet.
Rescue Efforts and Government Response
Rescue operations continued through the night to locate the eight missing individuals. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and urged the Ministries of Defense and Public Security to conduct immediate search and rescue efforts.
The government also committed to investigating the incident’s cause and addressing any violations, as stated in an official statement.
Weather Conditions
Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms struck Ha Long Bay, along with northern Hanoi and Thai Nguyen and Bac Ninh provinces, on Saturday. Eyewitness Tran Trong Hung described the sky darkening around 2 PM, with large hailstones falling amidst heavy rain, thunder, and lightning.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was affected? At least 34 people died, and eight remain missing after the boat capsized in Ha Long Bay.
- Where did the incident occur? The accident took place in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its emerald waters and limestone islands.
- What caused the accident? Heavy rainfall and strong winds led to the capsizing of the Wonder Sea tourist boat.
- Who are the victims? The majority of the passengers were families from Hanoi, including more than 20 children.
- What is the government’s response? Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed condolences and ordered search and rescue operations, as well as an investigation into the incident.
