Storm Wipha Triggers Fatal Boat Accident in Vietnam’s Halong Bay

 

A tourist boat carrying 53 people, including five crew members, tragically capsized in Halong Bay on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. local time, shortly after Storm Wipha swept into the South China Sea, unleashing strong winds, torrential rain, and lightning.

Rescue teams have recovered three bodies and successfully located 12 survivors, according to reports from local border guards. The nationalities of the passengers have not yet been disclosed, and search operations remain ongoing amid challenging weather conditions.

Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site located approximately 200 kilometers northeast of Hanoi, is one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations, renowned for its limestone islands and scenic boat tours. The storm has also disrupted air travel, with several flights diverted or grounded at Noi Bai Airport due to adverse weather.

Authorities continue to monitor Storm Wipha, which is expected to make landfall along Vietnam’s northern coast early next week.