Tour boat in Vietnam capsizes during storm, killing over 30 people
The Wonder Sea boat was carrying 48 passengers and five crew members — all of them Vietnamese — during the tour of Ha Long Bay, a popular destination for visitors, according to reports.
The number of reported rescues varied as the day went on, but the most recent figures published in local outlet VNExpress said 11 had been rescued.
The boat turned upside down because of strong winds, the newspaper said. A 14-year-old boy was among the survivors and was rescued four hours after being trapped in the overturned hull.
The newspaper said most of the passengers were tourists, including about 20 children, from the capital of Hanoi.
A tropical storm is also moving toward the area. A national weather forecast said Wipha is expected to hit Vietnam's northern region, including Ha Long Bay's coast next week.
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CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Vietnam tour boat survivor recounts escape from tragedy that killed 35
HA LONG BAY, Vietnam — A Vietnamese man who survived the capsizing of a tour boat in Ha Long Bay described his escape from the overturned vessel. At least 35 people were killed in the accident and a search is continuing for four who are still missing, according to Vietnamese state media. Authorities said that an earlier report of 38 dead and five missing was incorrect. The Wonder Sea embarked early Saturday afternoon for a three hour excursion in Ha Long Bay, a popular tourist destination, carrying 46 passengers and three crew. But a storm quickly covered the sky, bringing high winds and pouring rain, survivor Dang Anh Tuan told The Associated Press. Tuan said the passengers asked for the boat to turn back to shore, but the crew reassured them they were almost at their destination and kept the boat moving forward. 'It rained for about 15 minutes, and then the boat started to shake vigorously, tables and chairs were jostled around and seconds later the boat overturned,' the 36-year-old fire extinguisher salesman said. 'Water gushed in and I lost all orientation.' 'I tried to breathe. But more water came in. I took a deep breath, got rid of my life vest and dove down. I saw a streak of light and followed it to swim out, escaping the boat, and then I climbed on the overturned boat to look for help,' he said. Tuan and several other people survived by clinging on to the capsized boat and its propellers, waiting another two hours before the rain stopped and rescuers arrived. The Wonder Sea boat was later seen being towed to a shipyard for investigation, with most of its windows shattered, and damage to its roof and handrails. Police and other officials are seen on the boat working. Rescue workers recovered 11 survivors, but one later died in hospital due to injuries, VNExpress newspaper said. The boat turned upside down because of strong winds, the newspaper said. A 14-year-old boy was rescued after four hours trapped in the overturned hull. The newspaper said that most of the passengers were tourists from Hanoi, including about 20 children. Tuan was a holiday with 11 university friends, only three of whom survived. Tuan has only minor cuts, but one of his friends suffered multiple injuries in his head and the other's tendons were cut by broken glass as he escaped the boat through a window. The other nine members of the group were killed, including one who was traveling with his wife and 3-year-old son. The wife and child were also drowned. A tropical storm is also moving toward the area. A national weather forecast said that Storm Wipha is expected to hit Vietnam's northern region next week, including Ha Long Bay's coast. AP writer Huy Han contributed to this report.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Tourist boat capsizes during a thunderstorm in Vietnam, leaving 37 dead
HA LONG BAY, Vietnam — A boat carrying tourists capsized during a sudden thunderstorm in Vietnam on Saturday afternoon during a sightseeing excursion, killing 37 people, state media reported. Five others remain missing. The Wonder Sea boat was carrying 48 passengers and five crew members -- all of them Vietnamese -- on a tour of Ha Long Bay, a popular destination, according to the reports. Rescue workers saved 11 people, and recovered the dead near the site of the capsizing, VNExpress newspaper said. Authorities revised the figure after earlier reporting that 12 people had been rescued. The boat turned upside down because of strong winds, the newspaper said. A 14-year-old boy was rescued after four hours trapped in the overturned hull. The newspaper said that most of the passengers were tourists, from Hanoi, including about 20 children. A tropical storm is also moving toward the area. A national weather forecast said that Storm Wipha is expected to hit Vietnam's northern region next week, including Ha Long Bay's coast.
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Tour boat in Vietnam capsizes during storm, killing over 30 people
A boat carrying tourists capsized during a sudden thunderstorm in Vietnam on Saturday afternoon during a sightseeing excursion, killing as many as 34 people, state media reported. The Wonder Sea boat was carrying 48 passengers and five crew members — all of them Vietnamese — during the tour of Ha Long Bay, a popular destination for visitors, according to reports. The number of reported rescues varied as the day went on, but the most recent figures published in local outlet VNExpress said 11 had been rescued. The boat turned upside down because of strong winds, the newspaper said. A 14-year-old boy was among the survivors and was rescued four hours after being trapped in the overturned hull. The newspaper said most of the passengers were tourists, including about 20 children, from the capital of Hanoi. A tropical storm is also moving toward the area. A national weather forecast said Wipha is expected to hit Vietnam's northern region, including Ha Long Bay's coast next week.
