A tour vessel carrying 53 individuals capsized in Ha Long Bay, located in Quang Ninh province, on Sunday afternoon amid fierce winds. Authorities report that 11 individuals have been rescued and 34 bodies have been retrieved thus far, according to the Vietnamese news outlet VNExpress.
Of the 53 individuals aboard the vessel, 48 were guests, including at least 20 children, while five were members of the crew. State media indicates that most passengers were families on vacation from the capital city, Hanoi.
The incident took place around 2 PM local time, shortly following the onset of severe weather with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms. Fortunately, conditions have reportedly eased somewhat as rescue operations commenced at the scene.
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The Swedish embassy in Hanoi has issued warnings regarding Typhoon Wipha.
“It could lead to intense rainfall, flooding, and landslides in northern and central Vietnam. Swedish nationals in the region are advised to adhere to directives from local officials and stay updated on developments through local authorities,” the embassy stated on its website, Sweden Abroad.
Mai Van Jhiem, the head of Vietnam’s National Meteorological and Hydrological Center, noted that the adverse weather affecting northern Vietnam was not linked to Typhoon Wipha.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has expressed sympathy to the families of those lost and has urged defense and security agencies to conduct urgent search and rescue operations.
The government’s website states that the circumstances surrounding the incident will be investigated by relevant authorities.
Ha Long Bay is among Vietnam’s most beloved tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors from around the globe each year.