Tragedy Strikes Ha Long Bay as Tour Boat Capsizes During Storm
HÀ NỘI—A devastating incident occurred in Ha Long Bay when the tour boat Wonder Sea capsized during a sudden thunderstorm, leaving 35 confirmed dead and four individuals still missing. The boat was carrying 49 passengers, primarily Vietnamese tourists from Hanoi, including around 20 children, when it unexpectedly overturned.
Dang Anh Tuan, a 36-year-old man who survived the ordeal, recounted the harrowing experience with his 11 university friends. He described how a storm rapidly engulfed the sky, bringing fierce winds and torrential rain during their three-hour sightseeing trip. Despite passengers’ pleas to return to shore, the crew assured them they were nearing their destination.
"The boat capsized in less than a minute," Tuan recalled. "Water gushed in as I lost all sense of direction. I took a deep breath, removed my life vest, and swam towards a flicker of light, which led me out of the underwater chaos." He managed to cling to the capsized vessel for over two hours before rescuers arrived, saving 11 people.
Among the victims was a man traveling with his wife and three-year-old son, underscoring the tragedy for families involved. Survivor Dang Thuy Linh, speaking from her hospital bed, expressed her desperation, saying, "My husband, my children, and friends are still missing. I hope they will be rescued soon."
Rescue efforts continue, although the situation is dire, with a tropical storm projected to affect the area next week. Ha Long Bay, located about 125 miles from Hanoi, remains a popular destination for tourists despite this tragic event.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
