A sudden thunderstorm caused a tourist boat to capsize in Vietnam, leaving at least 34 people dead, according to local media.
The Wonder Seas was carrying 48 passengers and five crew members on a sightseeing trip in Ha Long Bay when it overturned in rough waters, reports say.
Rescue teams saved 11 people and recovered the bodies of those who died near the site. Authorities are still searching for others who remain missing.
Video footage shows strong waves rocking nearby boats as survivors climb aboard rescue vessels. Others stood on the overturned hull of the Wonder Seas, waiting for help.
Children among the survivors
Strong winds during the storm caused the boat to capsize, according to VNExpress. A 14-year-old boy survived after spending four hours trapped inside the hull. He stayed alive thanks to a small air pocket.
“There was a gap of around 50 to 60 centimetres that allowed oxygen in,” said Bui Cong Hoan from the Ha Long Cruise Ship Association. “Rescuers broke a window and pulled him out safely.”
Another survivor, a 10-year-old boy, is in stable condition at Bai Chay Hospital, said hospital director Le Ngoc Dung.
To support the search, a team of 15 divers entered the water to look for more victims.
Severe weather hit without warning
One eyewitness told AFP the weather turned quickly at around 2 p.m. on Saturday. He described hailstones “the size of toes” falling alongside heavy rain, thunder, and lightning.
Currently, no American nationals appear to have been on board. However, the US State Department said it is monitoring the situation and will assist US citizens if needed.
Ha Long Bay is in Quang Ninh Province in northern Vietnam. It is famous for its limestone islands — more than 1,600 of them. The name “Ha Long” means “Descending Dragon”, based on a local legend that says the islands formed when a dragon’s tail struck the sea.
