Flights disrupted, boat sinks as storm Wutip batters central Vietnam

Airport officials reported that 15 flights—eight arrivals and seven departures—were canceled on Wednesday due to low visibility and strong winds. 

Nine other flights were diverted to alternate airports before returning to Da Nang early on Thursday.

Weather-related disruptions persisted into Thursday, with at least eight inbound and eight outbound flights delayed by mid-morning.

The storm, also known locally as storm No. 1, has affected sea operations across the region. 

As of Thursday noon, 84 fishing vessels with 513 crew members were still at sea, according to Da Nang’s Disaster Prevention and Rescue Committee.

Thirteen of those vessels were in the Gulf of Tonkin, two near Vietnam's Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, and 69 in coastal waters. 

Border guard forces have issued storm updates and reinforced safety protocols at ports.

Severe conditions led to two maritime incidents. 

A fishing boat, DNa 11400, sank on Wednesday night while being moored near Bai Ngang in Da Nang’s Son Tra District. 

Salvage efforts are ongoing. Authorities have not confirmed the cause.

Meanwhile, vessel DNa 91107 suffered engine failure and flooding near Vietnam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago. 

It was rescued by Vietnam’s coast guard ship KN 363 and towed to safety at Cu Lao Cham (Cham Island) by Thursday afternoon.