27 Dead After Tourist Boat Capsizes in Vietnam’s Halong Bay
At least 27 people, including eight children, have died after a tourist boat carrying 53 passengers capsized in Vietnam’s Halong Bay during stormy weather linked to Storm Wipha. The vessel overturned around 2 p.m. local time (07:00 GMT) on Saturday amid strong winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning. Rescue teams have found 11 survivors, while efforts continue to locate others still missing, according to the state-run Vietnam News Agency. Most passengers were families visiting from Hanoi, with over 20 children on board, reports VNExpress. One survivor, a 10-year-old boy, recounted his harrowing escape: “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.” Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has expressed condolences to the victims’ families, vowing a thorough investigation: “Authorities will investigate and clarify the cause of the incident and strictly handle violations,” a government statement read. Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions annually. However, extreme weather has posed risks — last year, 30 vessels sank in the same region due to Typhoon Yagi. Storm Wipha’s impact also extended to Hanoi, 175 km away, where falling trees and flight disruptions were reported. Noi Bai Airport diverted nine incoming flights and temporarily grounded three departures.