The death toll from a capsized tour boat in Vietnam’s Halong Bay rose to 38 on Sunday, July 20, according to the Vietnamese government.
The incident is among the worst maritime accidents to hit the popular tourist destination in recent years.
The boat, carrying 53 passengers, overturned around 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, as Storm Wipha brought strong winds, heavy rain, and lightning to the area.
Vietnam Television (VTV) aired footage of overnight rescue operations, showing rescuers flipping the vessel upright and searching for survivors.
Authorities initially rescued 11 people and recovered 27 bodies, eight of whom were children. Most of the passengers were reportedly from Hanoi, although the nationalities of the victims have yet to be confirmed.
Halong Bay, located about 200 kilometers northeast of Hanoi, is one of Vietnam’s most visited tourist sites, known for its scenic boat tours and limestone formations.
Storm Wipha is the third typhoon to form in the South China Sea this year.
