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Jul
Jul
TOURIST BOAT CAPSIZES IN VIETNAM’S HALONG BAY, DEATH TOLL REMAINS UNCERTAIN
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CapitalTimesNews / 1 week
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- 2 min read
A tourist boat carrying 53 people, including 48 tourists and five crew members, capsized in Vietnam’s iconic Halong Bay on Saturday, resulting in a still-uncertain number of fatalities. Initial reports indicated that at least 34 bodies had been recovered, while 11 people had been rescued. However, state media later reported that 27 people died in the incident, with 11 survivors rescued. The accident occurred at approximately 2 p.m. local time, coinciding with Storm Wipha’s entry into the South China Sea. Strong winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning were recorded in the area. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate any remaining passengers. Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually with its stunning limestone karsts and emerald waters. The bay’s popularity as a tourist destination makes this incident a significant concern for authorities. According to reports, the boat capsized near the Dau Go Cave, one of the largest in the bay. Authorities have yet to disclose details about the tourists’ nationalities. Storm Wipha, the third typhoon to hit the South China Sea this year, is projected to make landfall along Vietnam’s northern coast early next week. The incident highlights safety concerns in one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations. Emergency responders are working to locate any remaining passengers as search efforts intensify. Weather disruptions linked to the storm have also impacted air travel, with Noi Bai Airport reporting that nine arriving flights were diverted to alternate airports, while three departing flights were temporarily grounded due to adverse conditions.