A swan-shaped limestone isle in Bai Tu Long Bay, a popular tourist destination in the northern Quang Ninh Province, has been found losing its ‘head’ following an assumed naturally-occurring rockslide.
The ‘headless’ isle, nicknamed the ‘Swan Isle’ in Vietnamese due to its shape of a swimming swan, is among hundreds of limestone islets in Bai Tu Long Bay, which borders UNESCO World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh to the northeast.
Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday, photographer Can Dinh Loan said he noticed the ‘headless’ isle on June 4 during a photo shoot trip by boat to the area with his photography association.
Loan said that the difference struck him immediately since he is a frequent visitor to the bay, and that he had taken some quick shots of the ‘headless’ rock to compare to its previous shape.
“Judging from the isle’s remaining surface, chances are that there had been a natural rockslide,” Loan said. “The boat’s captain also agreed that it was unlikely that an external force had been involved in breaking down such a huge limestone.”
“In my opinion, what happened was a pity for such a natural masterpiece, but if there was any human interference, those found responsible would have to be condemned,” Loan said.
Tran Van Hien, director of the Bai Tu Long Bay Conservation Center, has confirmed the incident, and assessment is being carried out by competent agencies to determine its cause.
“Initial probes found that it was a natural geological occurrence caused by prolonged downpours in the area, in addition to the isle being made of limestone,” Hien said.
The director added that the ‘head’ of the Swan Isle is still lying submerged at its foot, though he is pessimistic about restoration prospects since the stone may have been irreparably damaged after the assumed slide.
The Swan Isle in Bai Tu Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province before losing its ‘head’. Photo: Courtesy of Cam Dinh Loan
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