Dang Anh Tuan, 36, from Phu Dien ward, Hanoi, recounted the harrowing experience from his hospital bed in Quang Ninh Province on July 20th. He and a group of 12 friends had traveled to Ha Long for a weekend getaway. Initially, they hadn't planned a boat trip, intending only to enjoy the local cuisine and beaches.

After lunch on July 19th, they visited the pier near Bai Chay Bridge and were persuaded to purchase tickets for a bay tour. Enticed by the clear skies, they boarded the white, two-story vessel, over 20 meters long. They all chose seats on the lower deck, with Tuan sitting at the rear. Life jackets were available, but not mandatory.

Dang Anh Tuan is currently receiving treatment at Quang Ninh Province General Hospital. Photo: Duy Anh

Dang Anh Tuan is currently receiving treatment at Quang Ninh Province General Hospital. Photo: Duy Anh

At 12:55 pm, with over 40 passengers, including many children, settled on board, the boat departed. Captain and owner Doan Van Trinh was scheduled to take them on a two-bay Ha Long tour, visiting various landmarks including Hon Cho Da, Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, and Titop Island, before returning to port later that afternoon.

Approximately 4 km from the pier, a sudden squall descended, transforming the clear, sunny sky into a dark and ominous scene. The boat rocked violently, tilting at times over 40 degrees. "Passengers urged the captain to return, but he encouraged us to persevere, saying the first destination was close," Tuan recalled.

As the storm intensified, the waves grew stronger, and torrential rain obscured visibility. Tuan quickly retrieved a life jacket from under his seat. Other passengers followed suit. Less than 10 minutes after the squall hit, at nearly 2 pm, the struggling vessel capsized in seconds, plunging everyone into the sea.

Amidst the chaotic screams, Tuan and several others found themselves trapped in an air pocket at the tip of the overturned boat. He attempted to dive down for an escape route but was thwarted by obstacles. Surfacing for air, he dove again. "I spotted a glimmer of light and swam towards it, thankfully finding my way out," he shared.

Emerging from the wreckage, Tuan, despite the stinging rain, climbed onto the upturned hull. After regaining composure, he joined a man and a woman in a desperate search for other survivors. Too exhausted to re-enter the submerged vessel, he used his legs to locate openings along the hull, diving down to thread ropes inside for those trapped to grab onto. Despite cuts from broken glass, he managed to pull 4 people out, but only two survived. The other two, despite resuscitation attempts, did not regain consciousness. Near 5 pm, Tuan and the other survivors were rescued.

Thuy Linh, 38, was also on board with her husband, two children, and three relatives. They had traveled from Ocean Park 2, Hung Yen, drawn by the promising weather and calm seas. Typhoon Wipha was over 1,000 km away in the East Sea. Her family sat in the passenger cabin while others were on the upper deck taking pictures.

The squall struck with terrifying speed. "I only felt the boat shake for a few seconds before it tilted and capsized," Linh recounted.

Linh remains distraught, still searching for her husband and two children. Photo: Le Tan

Linh remains distraught, still searching for her husband and two children. Photo: Le Tan

Linh and a few others found refuge in an air pocket within the overturned hull. A confident swimmer, she dove down, following a window to escape, then returned repeatedly to guide others and search for her family. "I went back twice, helping several people out. The third time, the water was too high, the air pocket shrinking, making it impossible to breathe," she said.

On her third attempt, Linh rescued a man who began to lose consciousness. She yelled encouragement and secured a life jacket on him. "He stopped breathing shortly after, so I tied a rope to him to prevent him from drifting," she said, sobbing, still searching for her husband and children.

Mai Xuan Hai, 42, from Bac Ninh, and crew member Vu Anh Tu, 25, were thrown clear when the boat capsized. Along with two other men clinging to wooden chairs, they attempted to swim ashore. One man, exhausted, lost his grip. After nearly three hours adrift, the remaining three, having drifted about 1 km into a busy shipping lane, were rescued by a fishing boat.

After the capsizing, Dinh Duc Hiep, 35, from Ha Lam, Quang Ninh, immediately dove down to rescue others. He guided his mother and several members of his 8-person group to an air pocket within the hull. "I then helped my mother and three others escape. One man was too severely injured to save, so I tied him with a rope to prevent him from drifting," he shared. Unable to find his girlfriend, Hiep dove again, finding her 15 minutes later, but she had already drowned.

Vu Van Dien, Standing Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh Province People's Committee, visits Hai and Linh. Photo: Le Tan

Vu Van Dien, Standing Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh Province People's Committee, visits Hai and Linh. Photo: Le Tan

Alerted by nearby vessels, Quang Ninh Province mobilized approximately 300 personnel from border patrol, navy, coast guard, police, and port authorities by 5 pm, later increasing to 1,000 with over 30 boats and rafts. A rescue command center was established, involving Military Region 3 Command, the Navy, the Border Guard Command, the Coast Guard Command, and the Quang Ninh Province People's Committee.

Rescue teams were divided. Fifteen divers searched the submerged vessel. Another team surrounded the capsized boat, using detection equipment. A plan to use a barge and crane to right the vessel was considered, but the boat's weight and strong waves made securing and lifting it difficult.

According to the captain's report, the Vinh Xanh 58 carried 48 passengers and 5 crew members. By 11 pm, rescuers had saved 10 people and recovered 34 bodies. The search continued through the night. Divers took turns searching while awaiting the arrival of the barge and crane.

At midnight, authorities decided to right the boat. 48 minutes later, the boat was turned, revealing 4 more bodies, including the captain's. According to the latest report at 10 am today from the Quang Ninh Province People's Committee, the Vinh Xanh 58 had 49 people on board (3 less than initially reported), including 46 passengers and 3 crew members. One person remains missing.

The bodies were taken to Bai Chay Hospital morgue. Some families have already claimed their loved ones. Most victims were from Hanoi, on family vacations. The oldest victim was 53, the youngest only 3.

The scene of the boat capsizing that resulted in multiple fatalities. Photo: Xuan Hoa

The scene of the boat capsizing that resulted in multiple fatalities. Photo: Xuan Hoa

Last night, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued a condolence message and assigned Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to oversee rescue efforts, offer support, and visit affected families. Authorities were instructed to investigate the cause, take strict action against any violations, review maritime safety procedures, and implement necessary improvements to ensure absolute safety for all operating vessels.

Quang Ninh Province has provided initial support of 25 million VND per deceased victim and 8 million VND per injured person. The provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee also provided 5 million VND per deceased and 3 million VND per injured. Local businesses offered additional support of 40 million VND per deceased and 25 million VND per injured.

Le Tan - Pham Chieu - Duy Anh