Witnesses recount the moments leading up to the tragedy when the skies turned dark around 14:00 local time on Saturday. Eyewitness accounts detail hailstones the size of "toes," accompanied by torrential rain, thunder, and lightning, propelling the boat into peril. The swift change in weather caught many of the 53 passengers off guard, leaving little time for preparation or escape.
Reports from local authorities indicate that while 10 people have managed to survive and be rescued from the waters, the search for the remaining missing individuals has been hampered by heavy rainfall. Strikingly, among those confirmed dead, unfortunately, there were at least eight children, deepening the sorrow felt throughout the affected families. In a poignant moment, a 10-year-old boy was able to escape from an air pocket within the sunken boat, sharing his harrowing experience after being rescued.
Vietnam's Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, has expressed condolences to the families affected by this calamity. As investigations into the cause of the accident proceed, officials have pledged to "strictly handle violations" in the wake of this tragedy. Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a magnet for tourists with its stunning islets and seascapes, drawing approximately four million visitors in 2019 alone.
The community, still reeling from the impact of this disaster, awaits answers while grappling with the loss of life in such distressing circumstances.
Reports from local authorities indicate that while 10 people have managed to survive and be rescued from the waters, the search for the remaining missing individuals has been hampered by heavy rainfall. Strikingly, among those confirmed dead, unfortunately, there were at least eight children, deepening the sorrow felt throughout the affected families. In a poignant moment, a 10-year-old boy was able to escape from an air pocket within the sunken boat, sharing his harrowing experience after being rescued.
Vietnam's Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, has expressed condolences to the families affected by this calamity. As investigations into the cause of the accident proceed, officials have pledged to "strictly handle violations" in the wake of this tragedy. Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a magnet for tourists with its stunning islets and seascapes, drawing approximately four million visitors in 2019 alone.
The community, still reeling from the impact of this disaster, awaits answers while grappling with the loss of life in such distressing circumstances.
