Ha Long Bay tourist boat tragedy kills 34

A Tragic Storm Sinks a Ha Long Bay Tourist Boat

In the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay, a family‑ferry capsized on Saturday afternoon during a sudden, violent rainstorm, leaving at least 34 people dead, state media reported.

Vessel and Passengers

• 48 passengers and five crew members were aboard when the vessel lurched over.
• Most boarding families were visiting from Hanoi, with more than 20 children among the passengers.
• Border guards rescued 11 people and recovered 34 bodies, while rescue crews continued into the night to locate eight still missing.

The Storm’s Onset

Ha Long Bay office worker Tran Trong Hung told AFP that the storm began around 2 pm local time (07 00 GMT). He described:

• “Hailstones the size of toes with torrential rain, thunder, and lightning.”
• Strong winds knocked down trees in northern Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, and Bac Ninh provinces.

A Survivor’s Account

One rescued 10‑year‑old boy recounted his ordeal to state media outlet VietnamNet:

“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.”

Government Response

• Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent condolences to the families of the deceased and urged defense and public security ministries to conduct an urgent search and rescue mission.
• Authorities will investigate the incident’s cause and “strictly handle violations,” a statement on the government website said.

Weather Context

Following three days of intense heat—mercury peaked at 37 °C in some areas—torrential rain lashed northern Vietnam on Saturday. The National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting director Mai Van Khiem clarified that the thunderstorms were unrelated to Tropical Storm Wipha’s influence in the South China Sea.

Ha Long Bay’s Tourism Legacy

Ha Long Bay remains one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year to its blue‑green waters and limestone islands capped with rainforests. Last year, 30 vessels sank at boat lock areas along Quang Ninh province’s coastal Ba Long Bay after Typhoon Yagi brought strong wind and waves.