On July 20, 2025, rescue operations were still ongoing after a tourist boat named "Wonder Sea" capsized during a violent storm on July 19 in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, one of the country's most iconic and visited UNESCO World Heritage sites. At least 35 people were confirmed dead, while four others remained missing as of Sunday, with 10 rescued survivors.
The tragedy unfolded when a sudden storm, accompanied by torrential rain, strong winds, hailstones, lightning, and thunder, hit the area, causing the boat to overturn. The Wonder Sea, which was ferrying 46 passengers and 3 crew members, could not withstand the rapidly changing weather conditions.
Initial reports had stated that there were 53 people on board and 37 fatalities, but provincial police later revised the figures, confirming a total of 49 people on board with 35 dead, 10 rescued, and four still unaccounted for.
A local resident, Tran Trong Hung, vividly described the terrifying weather that swept through the region. “The sky turned dark,” he recalled, as hailstones as big as toes pelted down amid a violent thunderstorm. The sudden shift in weather caught passengers and crew off guard, giving them little time to react.
Most of the passengers were families visiting from Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, including more than 20 children, according to local media reports. Survivors included a 10-year-old boy, who shared his terrifying escape with state media outlet VietnamNet. He described how he took a deep breath, swam through a gap, dived, and resurfaced while shouting for help. Eventually, a rescue boat carrying soldiers pulled him out of the water.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended his condolences to the victims' families and directed the defence and public security ministries to expedite the search and rescue mission. A government statement confirmed that a full investigation will be conducted to determine the cause and that any violations found will be strictly dealt with.
The storm that struck Ha Long Bay was part of a broader weather system that lashed northern Vietnam, including Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, and Bac Ninh provinces, toppling trees and disrupting daily life. These severe conditions followed three days of intense heat, with temperatures soaring to 37°C (99°F).
However, authorities clarified that the storm was not linked to Tropical Storm Wipha, which had entered the South China Sea on the same day and was gaining strength. Mai Van Khiem, Director of Vietnam’s National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, confirmed that Wipha was not responsible for the thunderstorms in the north. The tropical storm is expected to make landfall in Vietnam in the coming days.
Ha Long Bay, known for its blue-green waters and dramatic limestone formations, draws millions of tourists annually. However, this is not the first time maritime disasters have struck the region. Last year, 30 vessels sank in nearby Quang Ninh province due to the impact of Typhoon Yagi, highlighting the vulnerability of the area during storm season.
This latest incident also comes just weeks after a ferry sank off Bali, Indonesia, leaving at least 18 dead, raising broader regional concerns about passenger vessel safety in Southeast Asia.
Although the exact cause of the capsizing has yet to be determined, the combination of overcrowded boats, inadequate warning systems, and rapidly shifting weather patterns remains a significant threat to maritime safety in the region.
As families mourn their losses and emergency services continue their desperate search for the remaining missing individuals, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly nature can turn deadly, especially in heavily touristed coastal areas.
No Singaporeans were reported to be on board during the incident.
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