At least three people were killed and 10 others rescued after a cruise ship capsized in Vietnam's UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay on Saturday afternoon, authorities confirmed. The vessel, carrying 48 tourists and five crew members, encountered strong winds and rough seas in Quang Ninh province, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
Local media outlet Tuoi Tre reported ongoing rescue operations for the remaining passengers, with 40 individuals still unaccounted for as of Saturday evening. The incident has raised immediate questions about maritime safety protocols in one of Southeast Asia's most popular tourist destinations, visited by over 7 million travelers annually.
Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts and emerald waters attract cruise operators offering overnight stays, making vessel safety a critical concern for Vietnam's $21 billion tourism industry. Analysts suggest the accident may prompt renewed scrutiny of weather monitoring systems and emergency response capabilities in the region.
