A 10-year-old boy miraculously survived the sinking of a tourist boat in Vietnam’s famed Ha Long Bay by sheltering in an air pocket inside the overturned vessel.
Local outlet VietnamNet reported that the boy had been traveling with his family aboard the “Wonder Sea” sightseeing boat when a sudden storm struck on Saturday afternoon. Trapped as the boat capsized, he found an air pocket underwater and stayed there until rescuers reached him. Though physically unharmed, he was in shock and was taken to a nearby hospital for care.
“Everything happened so fast,” the boy recalled. “I tried to get out, and then the soldiers rescued me.”
Search and rescue operations continue despite bad weather. State media said at least 37 people have been confirmed dead out of 53 passengers and crew, with 10 rescued and others still missing.
Another survivor, a 36-year-old Vietnamese man, described abandoning his life jacket and swimming through an underwater window to escape. He and several others clung to the overturned boat in pouring rain for two hours before help arrived. He was part of a group of 12 friends — only three survived.
VN Express reported most passengers were families from Hanoi, including over 20 children. The boat capsized near Dau Go Cave, one of the bay’s largest attractions.
Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famous for its 1,600 limestone islands and draws millions of tourists each year.
