Thirty-seven confirmed dead in Ha Long Bay tourist boat tragedy

THE HANOI TIMES — Rescue forces have recovered 47 victims from the tourist boat capsizing incident in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, with 37 confirmed dead and 10 survivors.

Earlier, the number of survivors was reported as 12.

The accident occurred in the early afternoon of July 19, when a tourist boat carrying 48 passengers and five crew members capsized while traveling through Ha Long Bay.

Initial investigations point to a sudden thunderstorm as the cause. The storm brought heavy rain to northern Vietnam and caused widespread property damage.

Immediately after the boat overturned, border guards, local authorities, and nearby residents launched a large-scale search and rescue operation.

By around 5 AM on July 20, the sunken vessel was salvaged and towed to Cai Lan Port in Quang Ninh Province.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 19 assigned Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to oversee the rescue and recovery efforts and to visit and support the victims’ families.

As an initial measure, Quang Ninh authorities have provided financial support of VND25 million (US$950) per deceased victim and VND8 million ($300) per injured person.

The province has also arranged accommodation and covered all food and lodging expenses for the victims’ families while they remain in Quang Ninh.

The Quang Ninh chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front has offered additional support of VND5 million ($190) per deceased victim and VND3 million ($115) per injured person.

To help ease the losses, several local businesses have also contributed financial aid, with VND40 million ($1,520) given to the families of those who died and VND25 million ($950) to those injured in the incident.