A tragic incident unfolded in Vietnam'srenowned Ha Long Bay on July 19, 2025, when a tourist boat capsized during a sudden and severe storm. The vessel, carrying 48 passengers and five crew members, was ferrying families from Hanoiaround theUNESCO World Heritagesite when it was overwhelmed by torrential rain and hailstones described as being 'as big as toes'. State media reported at least 34 fatalities, with rescuers immediately launching a desperate search and rescue operation.

Among the passengers were more than 20 children, adding to the somber nature of the disaster. Border guards managed to rescue 11 individuals, but eight people remained missing as rescue efforts were slated to continue into the night. A 10-year-old boy, one of the rescued, recounted his harrowing escape to state media, describing how he swam through a gap, dived, and shouted for help before being pulled to safety by soldiers.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

The storm, which commenced around 2 pm (0700 GMT) on Saturday, caused the sky to darken rapidly, bringing with it a thunderstorm and lightning. The severity of the weather extended beyond Ha Long Bay, with torrential rain also lashing northern provinces including Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, and Bac Ninh. In Hanoi, approximately 175 kilometers away, strong winds toppled several trees.

Following the disaster, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhextended his condolences to the bereaved families and urged the defense and public security ministries to conduct an urgent search and rescue operation. He also called for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the incident and ensure strict accountability for any violations. Notably, the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting clarified that these thunderstorms in northern Vietnam were not linked to Tropical Storm Wiphain the South China Sea.

Photo Credit: Detalhe Misterioso

Ha Long Bay is a cornerstone of Vietnam's tourism industry, attracting millions annually with its distinctive blue-green waters and limestone islands. This incident, however, is not the first maritime challenge for the region; just last year, 30 vessels sank in coastal Quang Ninh province's boat lock areas near Ha Long Bay due to strong winds and waves brought by Typhoon Yagi.