Divers are continuing their search for missing passengers and crew following a tragic capsizing of a sightseeing vessel in Halong Bay, Vietnam, during a storm on Saturday. So far, 34 bodies have been retrieved, while 11 individuals have been saved. The vessel was reported to have had 53 people aboard, including 48 tourists and five crew members, though the nationalities of those involved have not been disclosed.
Rescue operations are actively proceeding, despite challenges posed by poor visibility and heavy rain, as teams from various agencies—including the navy and police—are mobilised with 27 boats and two rescue vessels. According to a diver at the scene, much of the passenger area has been searched, but the cockpit and engine room remain difficult to access, stuck in mud.
The ship, named the Wonder Sea, capsized around 1:30 PM local time, losing its GPS signal shortly thereafter. Reports indicate that the passengers on board were mainly families from Hanoi, with the youngest just three years old and over 20 children present. A 10-year-old boy is currently stable after suffering multiple injuries, and a 14-year-old boy was rescued after being trapped in the sunken cabin for four hours.
In an emotional account, a survivor, Dang Thuy Linh, expressed her despair over losing contact with her family and urged onlookers to expedite the rescue efforts, hoping for the chance of finding more survivors. The incident occurred near the Dau Go Cave, a well-known landmark in the bay.
Halong Bay is renowned for its stunning limestone islands and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting numerous tourists. As recovery efforts continue, the focus remains on finding remaining missing individuals amidst the wreckage.