A sudden, violent thunderstorm on Saturday, July 19, overturned a tourist vessel in Vietnam’s UNESCO‑listed Ha Long Bay, leading to the deaths of approximately 35 passengers and crew, with several others missing. The “Wonder Sea” vessel—officially registered as Vịnh Xanh 58 (QN‑7105)—set off from Quảng Ninh province carrying 46 tourists and three crew members on a routine sightseeing tour when the weather turned treacherous around mid‑afternoon.
The outing began at approximately 12:55 pm local time. By around 1:30 pm, dark clouds had rapidly advanced over the bay near Đầu Gỗ Cave, bringing torrential rain, thunderstorms, hail, and bone‑shaking winds. In less than 60 seconds, passengers reported the boat shuddering violently; furniture flew, and moments later, the 24‑metre-long vessel capsized—sending people into churning seas.
Of the 49 people onboard, only ten to twelve survived. Among the rescued were at least two children—a ten‑year‑old and a 14‑year‑old boy—who were pulled from air pockets trapped within the overturned hull. One survivor clung to a wooden chair for hours before being rescued; another dove from a window to rush to the surface before holding on until help arrived. Emergency crews from the navy, waterway police, border guards, special forces, and volunteer fishermen launched an intensive rescue operation. Rough seas, heavy rains, and poor visibility made the operation extremely difficult.
By Sunday, rescue teams had marshalled about 27 boats, two rescue crafts, divers, drones, sonar and net equipment, and cranes to raise and tow the capsized vessel ashore—still working to locate missing passengers. As of the latest official updates, 35 bodies had been recovered, with four to eight people still unaccounted for. The boat had been inspected in January and was operating within passenger limits.
The accident occurred as Typhoon Wipha approached Vietnam’s northern coast. Warnings had already been issued for severe winds and rainfall. Hanoi and Quảng Ninh authorities had suspended boat services and flights in anticipation of the storm. Despite this, the localized thunderstorm that capsized the boat was not officially linked to Wipha, according to meteorologists.
Senior officials—including Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà—visited the accident site to extend condolences and oversee the emergency response. Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính announced financial relief packages for victims’ families and ordered a full investigation into maritime safety protocols. Local authorities have provided monetary support—25 million VND per deceased, 8 million VND per injured, with additional aid from civic groups and businesses.
This tragedy marks one of the deadliest maritime disasters in Ha Long Bay’s recent history. The bay remains a magnet for tourists—drawing 2.6 million visitors in 2023—but its waters are vulnerable to sudden, extreme weather events. Survivors were traumatized; one noted that the boat capsized in “a few seconds” after about 15 minutes of rain. Authorities stated that 80–90% of recovered victims were wearing life jackets, indicating the suddenness of the ship’s overturning.
As Typhoon Wipha continues to gather strength—with maximum winds of around 166 km/h and threats of urban flooding and landslides—rescue operations are likely to remain challenging. The disaster has reignited scrutiny over maritime safety standards in tourist hotspots and intensified calls for better preparedness against abrupt storms.
