Tragedy Strikes Ha Long Bay Tour Boat, 38 Confirmed Dead

A boat capsizing incident in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 38 people, with five others still missing. The tour boat, named the Wonder Sea, was carrying 48 tourists and five crew members when it encountered severe weather conditions on the afternoon of March 15, 2024.

Survivor Dang Anh Tuan, a 36-year-old fire extinguisher salesman, recalled the harrowing experience as passengers urgently requested the captain to return to shore. Despite their pleas, the crew expressed confidence that they were close to their destination, continuing the journey. Tuan described the sudden onset of a storm, stating, “It rained for about 15 minutes, and then the boat started to shake vigorously. Seconds later, the boat overturned.”

As water rushed in, Tuan lost his sense of direction but managed to escape by diving beneath the surface. “I saw a streak of light and followed it to swim out,” he said. He and three others clung to the overturned vessel for approximately two hours before rescue efforts were initiated.

Rescue teams successfully saved 11 individuals, but one victim later succumbed to their injuries in hospital, according to VNExpress. The vessel capsized due to strong winds, as confirmed by the newspaper. Among the rescued was a 14-year-old boy who had been trapped inside the hull for four hours.

Most of the passengers were reported to be tourists from Hanoi, including around 20 children. Tuan was traveling with a group of 11 university friends, of whom only three survived. He suffered minor injuries, while one friend endured serious head trauma and another was injured by shattered glass as he escaped through a window. Tragically, nine members of their group lost their lives, including a man whose wife and three-year-old son also drowned.

The distressing event unfolds as authorities warn of an approaching tropical storm, named Storm Wipha, expected to impact Vietnam’s northern region, including the Ha Long Bay coast. This impending storm raises concerns for both the ongoing rescue operations and the safety of future maritime activities in the area.

The incident has drawn attention to the importance of safety measures and protocols on tourist boats, particularly in regions prone to sudden weather changes. As the search continues for the missing individuals, the community mourns the profound loss of life in what was meant to be a joyful excursion.