Tourist Boat Tragedy Claims 37 in Vietnam’s Halong Bay
Families en route to UNESCO site caught in sudden storm
A devastating incident on Vietnam’s iconic Halong Bay has resulted in the deaths of at least 37 people after a tourist vessel capsized. The boat, carrying families on an outing, was struck by severe weather conditions, leading to the tragic loss of life.
Fateful Journey Ends in Disaster
The ill-fated excursion occurred on July 19, with the boat carrying 48 passengers and five crew members. Sudden, heavy rainfall overwhelmed the vessel, causing it to capsize within the UNESCO World Heritage site. Many of those aboard were families from the capital, Hanoi, with the group including over 20 children.
Rescue Efforts and Grim Discoveries
Border guards successfully rescued 11 individuals, while a grim recovery operation ensued. As of early July 20, a total of 37 bodies had been retrieved. Officials noted that the captain’s identity remained unconfirmed, and five people were still missing. Among the recovered victims were eight children, according to reports from the People’s Army Newspaper.
Sudden Storm Unleashes Fury
The capsizing happened around 2 p.m. local time, shortly after Tropical Storm Wipha entered the South China Sea. The region experienced strong winds, intense rainfall, and lightning. A rescued 10-year-old boy recounted his harrowing escape to state media outlet VietnamNet, describing how he “took a deep breath, swam through a gap, dived, then swam up.” He added, “I even shouted for help, then I was pulled up by a boat with soldiers.”
Local resident, Tran Trong Hung, described the abrupt change in weather, telling Agence France-Presse, “The sky turned dark at around 2pm.”
He further elaborated on the severity of the storm, noting, “Hailstones as big as toes with torrential rain, thunderstorm and lightning.”
Similar weather disruptions, including torrential rain and strong winds that downed trees, were reported in northern provinces such as Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, and Bac Ninh.
Government Response and Investigation
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has extended his condolences to the bereaved families. He has directed the defense and public security ministries to launch urgent search and rescue operations. A government statement indicated that authorities would “investigate and clarify the cause of the incident and strictly handle violations.”
The incident occurred after a period of intense heat, with temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius in some areas. Meteorologists clarified that the severe thunderstorms in northern Vietnam were not directly linked to Tropical Storm Wipha’s movement in the South China Sea. However, Wipha, the third typhoon to affect the region this year, is anticipated to make landfall along Vietnam’s northern coast soon, potentially impacting travel.
Halong Bay: A Popular but Vulnerable Destination
Halong Bay is a premier tourist attraction in Vietnam, drawing millions of visitors annually to its distinctive karst landscape. In 2024, the area experienced significant disruptions when 30 vessels sank following Typhoon Yagi. This recent tragedy underscores the vulnerability of maritime activities in the region to extreme weather events.
The impact of adverse weather conditions has also been felt in air travel. Noi Bai Airport reported multiple flight diversions and temporary groundings due to the severe weather.
