Capsized tourist boat towed after Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay tragedy leaves dozens dead. Nhac Nguyen/AFP/Getty Images
EPICSTORIAN — A 10-year-old boy identified only as Nam has survived a deadly tourist boat sinking in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay by sheltering inside an air pocket within the capsized vessel.
At least 37 people are confirmed dead after the sightseeing boat, Wonder Sea, overturned during a sudden storm on Saturday.
The Vietnam boat sinking occurred near Dau Go Cave, a popular tourist area in the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, when severe weather hit without warning. Nam had been travelling with his family when the vessel capsized, leaving passengers trapped below deck.
Rescue workers later found the boy alive but in distress after he had taken refuge in a trapped air pocket inside the overturned ship. He was quickly transported to a hospital for treatment.
Ha Long Bay Disaster Highlights Ongoing Vietnam Maritime Accidents
The Ha Long Bay disaster has renewed scrutiny of Vietnam’s maritime safety regulations, particularly in tourist hotspots like Ha Long Bay. Only 10 survivors have been confirmed so far, with recovery teams continuing to search for missing passengers under difficult weather conditions.
Nam reportedly told rescuers, “Everything happened so fast. I tried to get out, and then the soldiers rescued me.” His survival has been attributed to quick thinking and the rare existence of a survivable air pocket beneath the wreckage.
According to local reports, the capsizing occurred around 1:30 p.m. local time during a brief but severe squall. The majority of those on board were domestic tourists from Hanoi, with families making up a significant portion of the passengers.
Tourist Boat Tragedy Raises Safety Questions in Vietnam Waters
Eyewitness Dang Anh Tuan described escaping the overturned boat by removing his life jacket and swimming through a submerged window. He and other survivors clung to the capsized vessel for over two hours until emergency teams arrived. Tuan, who was traveling with 11 friends, said only three survived.
Children were among the casualties, with the youngest victim reported to be just three years old. The Vietnam boat sinking has intensified concerns over the enforcement of safety protocols for tour operators in the region, especially during periods of unstable weather.
Rescue Efforts Continue Amidst Ongoing Recovery Operations
Images released show the damaged vessel being towed back to port as officials warn that worsening weather may further delay rescue and recovery operations. Ha Long Bay’s maritime authorities have confirmed an investigation into the vessel’s condition and the decisions made before departure.
Ha Long Bay, renowned for its dramatic limestone islands and scenic waters, remains one of Vietnam’s most visited destinations. The tragedy has prompted calls for urgent safety reforms within Vietnam’s maritime tourism sector to prevent similar incidents in future.
