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At least 27 people have died after a tourist boat carrying 53 people capsized in stormy weather in Vietnam’s popular Halong Bay on Saturday, state media reported.
The vessel tipped over at around 2 p.m. local time (0700 GMT) as Storm Wipha approached Vietnam across the South China Sea. Local reports said the area experienced strong winds, heavy rain and lightning at the time of the accident.
According to the local newspaper VnExpress, most of the tourists on board were from the capital, Hanoi. Authorities have not yet confirmed the nationalities of those on the boat as search and rescue operations continue.
Rescue teams have found 11 survivors so far and recovered 27 bodies, including eight children, the state-run Vietnam News Agency reported, quoting local officials. Emergency crews are still searching for any remaining passengers.
Halong Bay, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) northeast of Hanoi, is one of Vietnam’s most famous tourist destinations, drawing tens of thousands of visitors every year for its scenic boat tours through limestone islands and emerald waters.
Storm Wipha, the third typhoon to hit the South China Sea this year, is expected to make landfall along Vietnam’s northern coast early next week.
Severe weather linked to the approaching storm also disrupted air travel. Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport reported that nine incoming flights had to be diverted to other airports, while three departing flights were grounded temporarily on Saturday.
Authorities have urged boat operators and local residents to stay alert as the storm moves closer to shore.
