Five people are still missing after a tourist boat, the Wonder Sea, capsized in a sudden thunderstorm in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, resulting in the deaths of 38 people.
The Wonder Sea was carrying 48 passengers and five crew members, all Vietnamese nationals, on a sightseeing tour of the popular bay, according to state media.
Rescue efforts have saved 11 people and recovered the deceased from the site of the incident, reported VNExpress newspaper. Tragically, one survivor succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
The boat reportedly overturned due to strong winds. A 14-year-old boy was rescued after being trapped inside the overturned hull for four hours.
According to the newspaper, the majority of the passengers were tourists from Hanoi, including approximately 20 children.
Adding to concerns, a tropical storm, Storm Wipha, is approaching the area and is forecast to hit Vietnam’s northern region, including the coast of Ha Long Bay, next week.
One survivor, Dang Anh Tuan, recounted his harrowing escape from the overturned vessel.
He described how a storm rapidly engulfed the sky with high winds and heavy rain shortly after the boat embarked on a three-hour excursion.
Passengers requested the boat to return to shore, but the crew allegedly reassured them that they were nearing their destination and continued onward.
“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 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.”
Mr. Tuan and three others survived by clinging to the capsized boat and its propellers, waiting for two hours until the rain stopped and rescuers arrived.
He was on holiday with 11 university friends, only three of whom survived the disaster.
Tragically, other members of his group included a man who was traveling with his wife and three-year-old son, all of whom perished in the accident.
