A sightseeing boat carrying Vietnamese tourists capsized in Vietnam’s famed Ha Long Bay on Saturday afternoon, leaving at least 37 people dead and five others missing, according to state media.

The vessel, named Wonder Sea, overturned during a sudden thunderstorm, marking one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the country’s recent history.

The boat was carrying 48 passengers and five crew members—all Vietnamese nationals, including around 20 children—when it was caught in violent winds and rough waters. Most of the tourists were from Hanoi, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic limestone islands and emerald waters.

Rescue teams managed to save 11 people, though officials initially reported 12 rescues before revising the number due to the chaotic conditions at the scene. Among the survivors was a 14-year-old boy who endured four harrowing hours trapped inside the capsized vessel’s hull before being rescued.

Search operations remain underway to locate the five missing individuals, but efforts have been hampered by adverse weather conditions, including high waves and low visibility. The tragedy unfolded as Tropical Storm Wipha bears down on Vietnam’s northern coast, with forecasters warning of increased heavy rainfall and strong winds in the coming days.

Preliminary findings suggest that the Wonder Sea may not have been adequately equipped or prepared for the rapid change in weather. Safety experts have pointed to persistent concerns over lax enforcement of maritime regulations in Ha Long Bay, where some operators are known to neglect life jacket protocols and fail to conduct rigorous weather assessments.

Ha Long Bay, which attracts millions of domestic and international tourists annually, has previously come under scrutiny for tourism safety lapses, particularly during Vietnam’s monsoon season when sudden storms are frequent.

In response to the disaster, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued a statement expressing deep condolences to the victims’ families and ordered an urgent investigation. He emphasized the need for sweeping reforms to ensure the safety of tourism operations across the country.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and we must ensure such incidents are prevented in the future,” said the Prime Minister.

The capsizing comes as Vietnam’s tourism sector is striving to recover from the economic setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The incident threatens to further undermine public confidence in the industry, especially at a time when tourist numbers were beginning to rebound.

Authorities in Quang Ninh Province, where Ha Long Bay is located, have issued temporary sailing bans and instructed tour operators to increase safety checks and weather monitoring. Emergency services remain on high alert as Storm Wipha approaches the coast.

As the nation mourns the loss of 37 lives, questions are intensifying about accountability and systemic failures in Vietnam’s maritime tourism sector. The tragedy has prompted renewed calls for stricter oversight, improved emergency preparedness, and mandatory enforcement of passenger safety measures. (ILKHA)