At least 18 people have died and dozens remain missing after a tourist boat capsized Saturday in Vietnam's UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, according to state media reports. The vessel, carrying 48 passengers and five crew members, sank during sudden heavy rain while touring the iconic limestone karst landscape.
Border guards rescued 12 individuals and recovered 18 bodies, VNExpress reported. Most passengers were families from Hanoi, with over 20 children aboard the ill-fated vessel. Search operations continue for those still unaccounted for.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the capsizing, though adverse weather conditions are under investigation. Ha Long Bay, a top Southeast Asian tourist destination, sees millions of visitors annually. The incident has raised questions about maritime safety protocols during monsoon season.
