Search continues for five missing after deadly capsizing in Ha Long Bay that claimed 38 lives

Desperate rescue efforts are underway in Vietnam's Ha Long Bay as officials search for five individuals still missing after the capsizing of a tourist boat that has claimed at least 38 lives.

The incident occurred on Saturday when the vessel, identified as "Wonder Sea," was ferrying families around one of Vietnam's premier tourist hotspots, amidst a sudden, furious storm.

Witnesses described the alarming weather conditions that engulfed the area, as Tran Trong Hung, a local resident, recounted, "The sky turned dark," and added that hailstones the size of toes fell alongside torrential rain, thunderstorms, and lightning.

The vessel, carrying 48 passengers and five crew members, capsized during the storm, leading to one of the deadliest maritime disasters at the renowned UNESCO World Heritage site.

By Saturday evening, authorities had rescued 11 individuals and recovered 34 bodies. Sadly, overnight operations yielded more grim news, with the bodies of three crew members located inside the cabin of the wrecked boat.

The death toll now stands at 38, following the passing of one of the rescued victims in a hospital on Sunday.

Among the fortunate survivors was a 10-year-old boy, who shared his harrowing experience: "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 on."

His story exemplifies the narrow escapes many faced during the chaotic moments before the boat sank.

In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed condolences to the grieving families and urged both the defence and public security ministries to accelerate the search and rescue operations.

The government has promised to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, ensuring that any violations will be dealt with strictly.

In addition to the chaos triggered by the storm, torrential rains wreaked havoc in northern Hanoi along with Thai Nguyen and Bac Ninh provinces.

Reports indicated that several trees were uprooted in the capital due to strong winds. Interestingly, the director of the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting clarified that the thunderstorms were not directly caused by the influence of Tropical Storm Wipha, which has now entered the South China Sea, gaining strength and is poised to make landfall in Vietnam early next week.

Ha Long Bay is cherished for its stunning blue-green waters and the majestic limestone islands that dot its landscape, attracting millions of visitors each year.

However, this is not the first maritime incident in recent memory; last year, 30 vessels sank in coastal Quang Ninh province after Typhoon Yagi unleashed strong winds and waves.

Earlier this month, a similar disaster occurred near Bali, Indonesia, where a ferry sank, resulting in at least 18 fatalities.

DAILY NEWS