Overview
- At 12:55 p.m. on July 19, the Wonder Sea overturned after sudden torrential winds hit Ha Long Bay while carrying 48 tourists and five crewmembers.
- Rescue teams have recovered 34 bodies and saved 11 survivors, with eight passengers still unaccounted for as night operations press on.
- Border guards, the navy, police and divers are coordinating more than two dozen vessels in the search across the bay.
- Meteorologists warn that Tropical Storm Wipha could reach the region soon, raising concerns about the safety and pace of ongoing rescue efforts.
- Pham Minh Chinh has tasked defense and public security ministries with continuing search missions and launching a thorough investigation to bolster safety protocols for tourist boats.