34 bodies found after tourist boat capsizes during storm in Vietnam

USA Today

19-07-2025

A tourist boat capsized during a severe storm in Vietnam's Hạ Long Bay on Saturday, July 19, resulting in at least 34 people dying, according to state media.
The boat, with 53 people aboard, tipped over at around 2 p.m. local time, as Storm Wipha approached Vietnam across the South China Sea. Lightning, heavy rainfall and strong winds were reported in the area. The vessel had lost its GPS signal by 2:05 p.m., according to the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, per local newspaper VnExpress.
The majority of tourists on the boat were from Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, VnExpress reported. The nationality of the tourists aboard the vessel was not officially announced as emergency crews continued looking for survivors.
Rescuers found 11 survivors, while 34 bodies have been recovered so far, including eight children, the state-run Vietnam News Agency said, citing local authorities. There are eight people still unaccounted for, authorities added.
Storm causes flight delays at Noi Bai Airport
Hạ Long Bay, around 125 miles northeast of Hanoi, attracts tens of thousands of visitors and tourists each year, with the boat tours being especially popular.
Storm Wipha, which is now the third typhoon to hit the South China Sea so far this year, is expected to make landfall along Vietnam's northern coast early next week.
Severe weather caused by the storm also disrupted air travel in the country. Noi Bai Airport confirmed that nine arriving flights were diverted to other airports, and three departing flights were temporarily grounded on Saturday, July 19.
Reuters contributed to this story.
Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [e-mail].