Strong winds from Storm Wipha are being blamed for the tragic sinking of a tourist boat in Vietnam that left 34 dead, including 8 children.
At least 34 people, including eight children, died after a tourist boat capsized in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay on Saturday, state media reported. The Wonder Sea vessel was carrying 53 passengers, including five crew members, when strong winds—linked to Storm Wipha—overturned the boat around 2pm local time.
According to the state-run Vietnam News Agency, 11 survivors have been rescued so far. Authorities are still working to confirm the nationalities of the victims. Most passengers were tourists from Hanoi, and around 20 of them were children, according to The People’s Army Newspaper.
The tragedy occurred as Storm Wipha swept through the South China Sea, bringing winds up to 63mph and heavy rainfall. The storm has disrupted flights, with Noi Bai Airport reporting several diversions and delays.
Ha Long Bay, located roughly 200km northeast of Hanoi, is a major tourist destination known for its limestone islands and overnight boat tours. Rescue operations are ongoing as officials continue to search for missing passengers.