Vietnam tour ends in chaos: Boat with 53 passengers goes under

In Vietnam’s Halong Bay, a tour boat carrying dozens of people sank during a storm, according to CNN. Large-scale search and rescue operations are currently underway.
On Saturday, July 19, a major tragedy occurred in Halong Bay — one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations.
At around 1:30 p.m. local time, a vessel named Wonderful Sea with 53 people on board — 48 tourists and 5 crew members — was caught in a severe storm.
The tourist boat could not withstand the massive waves and capsized. Its GPS signal was lost. Naval forces, border guards, police, port authorities, as well as 27 boats and two rescue vessels, were immediately dispatched to the scene. However, the tragedy could not be averted.
At this time, 34 people have been confirmed dead, and several others remain missing.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
How is the rescue operation progressing
According to the latest information, 11 people have been rescued so far, while divers continue searching for others.
The identities and nationalities of those on board have not yet been disclosed.
Đinh Khắc Giông, a 64-year-old diver involved in the rescue efforts, told journalists that the passenger cabin of the vessel has already been thoroughly inspected. However, access to the engine room and the pilot’s cabin remains difficult due to a large amount of mud.
“As of now, I am certain there are no more bodies in the passenger cabin,” Zong said. “I only worry that some bodies may have drifted outside.”
Local authorities say all available forces are involved in the operation, but rescue efforts are complicated by heavy rain, strong winds, and the onset of darkness, which severely limits visibility. Still, the work will continue around the clock until the fate of everyone on board is determined.
Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s top tourist attractions and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thousands of tourists from around the world visit it every year.
The investigation into the cause of the tragedy is ongoing.
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