Bangkok, July 19 (EFE).- Rescuers were searching for five people still missing on Sunday after dozens were killed when a tourist boat capsized in Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations.
The 24-meter long “Wonder Sea” was carrying 48 Vietnamese tourists and five crew when it capsized on Saturday afternoon in a sudden storm in the Unesco World Heritage site in northern Quang Ninh province.
Thirty-seven people were killed and 10 people have been rescued, with five still missing, according to Vietnam News Agency’s updated figures on Sunday morning.
The injured were taken to a nearby hospital where they are stable and under observation, added VNA.
Rescuers were racing against time to find the remaining missing as Severe Tropical Storm Wipha headed towards the Gulf of Tonkin.
A 10-year-old boy survived by finding an air pocket in the overturned vessel until he was rescued and taken to hospital, Vietnam Net reported. His parents’ whereabouts remain unknown.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha was at the scene where he offered his condolences to the families of the deceased.
Authorities mobilized hundreds of rescuers, including the navy, coast guard, border guard, Quang Ninh military command, rescue police and dozens of boats.
The overturned boat was salvaged and towed to shore early Sunday morning for further investigation by authorities.
Ha Long Bay is dotted with thousands of towering limestone islands, attracting over 2.6 million tourists a year, according to the government tourism authority. EFE
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