Hanoi - Saba:
Official media in Vietnam reported that 34 people died after a tourist boat carrying 48 individuals, including five crew members, capsized in Ha Long Bay.
According to the news website VNExpress, the vessel was carrying 48 people and five crew members when it overturned in this UNESCO World Heritage site due to sudden heavy rainfall.
The report stated that most of the passengers were families visiting from the capital, Hanoi, including more than 20 children. The site also revealed that “Border guards rescued 11 people and recovered 34 bodies.”
The storm reportedly began in the afternoon, and "darkness fell around 2 p.m." (07:00 GMT).
A statement on the government’s official website said that authorities “will investigate the circumstances of the incident to uncover the facts and will deal strictly with any violations.”
Heavy rains were reported on Saturday across various regions of Vietnam. Strong winds uprooted several trees in the capital, Hanoi, about 175 kilometers away. The storm followed a three-day heatwave, during which temperatures reached 37°C in some areas.
Ha Long Bay is considered one of Vietnam's most famous tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Last year, 30 boats sank in the coastal province of Quang Ninh, adjacent to the bay, after Typhoon Yagi struck with strong winds and high waves.
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