37 dead, 5 missing after tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay

Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hung, head of the rescue and relief department under Vietnam’s Border Guard Command, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the bodies recovered have been taken to the mortuary at Bai Chay Hospital in Quang Ninh Province.

Fourteen victims have already been taken home by their families for burial procedures.

On Sunday morning, local authorities and rescue teams are continuing to review the list of missing people and conduct further searches before the arrival of storm Wipha, the third to enter the East Vietnam Sea this year.

Quang Ninh Province has mobilized maximum resources, including personnel and equipment from the provincial Military Command, Border Guard Command, police, Ha Long Bay Management Board, Naval Region 1, and professional diving teams, for the rescue.

Specialized marine equipment and local search and rescue tools have also been deployed to aid rescue efforts.

Medical facilities are on standby to assist with any emergency needs during the search and rescue operations.

Early on Sunday morning, while directly overseeing rescue efforts at the scene, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha issued an urgent dispatch conveying the prime minister's directive to continue search and rescue efforts and provide support to the victims’ families.

The premier emphasized the need for swift, effective rescue operations.

He instructed the chairman of the Quang Ninh People’s Committee to work closely with the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, and other relevant agencies to focus all resources—personnel, equipment, and public support—locating the remaining missing victims as soon as possible.

He also called for the damaged vessel to be salvaged and towed ashore before storm No. 3 impacts the area.

The chairmen of the Hanoi and Quang Ninh People’s Committees were tasked with visiting and offering condolences to the victims’ families, assisting with their funeral arrangements, and ensuring the best medical treatment for the injured.

By nearly 2:00 am on Sunday, the tourist boat had been righted and was being prepared for towing back to shore.

According to the Quang Ninh administration, initial support of VND25 million (US$956.2) per deceased victim and VND8 million ($306) per injured victim has been provided.

Accommodation and all living expenses are also being covered for the victims’ families while in Quang Ninh.

On Saturday afternoon, the tourist boat capsized while traveling in Ha Long Bay. 

The incident was caused by a sudden thunderstorm at around 2:00 pm. 

The boat was carrying 48 tourists and five crew members.

According to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, on Saturday afternoon, strong thunderstorms, whirlwinds, and localized heavy rainfall occurred in northern Vietnam.

At that time, storm Wipha’s center was still over 1,000 kilometers east of Ha Long Bay, with storm winds not yet affecting the Gulf of Tonkin.

Immediately after the accident, the Quang Ninh Border Guard Command directed the Hon Gai Port Border Station to coordinate with other forces for search and rescue operations. 

Five boats and 50 officers were initially deployed to the scene.

Before the incident, the local meteorological agency had issued thunderstorm warnings.

At midday and early Saturday afternoon, the Quang Ninh Hydrometeorological Station released two advisories warning of thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and heavy rain in various areas in the province.

A bulletin at 1:30 pm noted convective clouds were causing showers and thunderstorms in many areas such as Cao Xanh, Hong Ha, Hong Gai, Ha Long, and Tuan Chau, with a forecast of continued thunderstorms spreading to other areas such as Dong Mai, Hiep Hoa, Quang Yen, and Uong Bi.

The advisory warned of lightning, strong gusts, and potential landslides that could damage infrastructure and threaten lives.

Authorities emphasized the need for residents and agencies to remain alert and prepared.