At least 27 people have died after a tourist boat capsized in Halong Bay, northern Vietnam, during stormy weather on Saturday, according to reports from state media.
The vessel, which was carrying 53 individuals, overturned at approximately 2 p.m. local time (0700 GMT) as Storm Wipha advanced across the South China Sea toward Vietnam. Authorities reported strong winds, heavy rain and lightning in the area at the time of the incident.
Local news outlet VnExpress indicated that most of the passengers were from Hanoi, though there has been no official confirmation regarding the nationality of the victims. Search and rescue operations continued into the evening as emergency teams worked to locate any additional survivors.
According to the Vietnam News Agency, which cited local authorities, 11 people were rescued and 27 bodies had been recovered, including eight children.
Halong Bay, located around 200 kilometres northeast of Hanoi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist destination known for its scenic limestone islands and popular boat tours. The region receives high volumes of domestic and international visitors throughout the year.
Storm Wipha, the third typhoon to affect the South China Sea in 2025, is forecast to make landfall along Vietnam’s northern coastline in the coming days, prompting concerns over continued adverse weather conditions.
The storm also impacted air travel, with Noi Bai International Airport reporting that nine inbound flights were diverted to other airports, while three outbound flights were temporarily grounded on Saturday due to safety concerns.
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