Overview

• The sightseeing boat carrying 53 passengers and crew flipped over in Halong Bay on July 19 when it was hit by sudden gale-force winds.
• Authorities have rescued 11 survivors and confirmed 37 fatalities, up from initial reports of 34 deaths.
• Five passengers remain unaccounted for as local officials press on with recovery operations.
• The Japanese Embassy in Vietnam has confirmed that no Japanese nationals were on board the ill-fated vessel.
• The incident underscores growing safety concerns for small tour boats navigating the UNESCO World Heritage site amid volatile weather.