Overview

• The Wonder Sea carried 53 people, including five crew members, when it overturned at around 2 pm on July 19 following sudden high winds and heavy rain in Halong Bay.
• Authorities have confirmed 27 fatalities, among them eight children, and have rescued 12 survivors from the waters.
• Search operations involve border guards, military divers and naval vessels working under deteriorating conditions as Storm Wipha nears Vietnam’s northern coast.
• Meteorological data show Wipha brought strong gusts, torrential rainfall and lightning to the bay shortly before the vessel capsized.
• Officials have launched probes into safety compliance and vessel preparedness amid wider concerns over maritime regulations in Halong Bay’s tourist fleet.