Dozens of dead after HA Long Bay tourist boat in Vietnam is understand

At least 37 people have died and some still miss after a tourist boat was in bad weather in Vietnam.

The incident took place in Ha Long Bay, a popular tourist destination in the north of the country.

Most of the passengers were reportedly Vietnamese families from the capital Hanoi.

Heavy rain has hindered the search for survivors, say rescuers: But so far 11 people have been pulled out of the water alive.

The ship named Wonder Seas wore 53 people when it met after a sudden storm, an explanation of the Vietnamese border officials, and the navy said.

An eyewitness told the AFP news agency that the sky on Saturday (07:00 GMT) was dark at 2:00 p.m.

There were “hailstones that as big as toes with heavy rain, thunderstorms and flash,” he said.

A 10-year-old boy was saved after being caught in an air pocket in the upside down fuselage, say the local media.

“I took a deep breath … then appeared and swam. I even called for help, then I was pulled by a boat,” the boy – who had traveled with his parents – told State Media Outlet Vietnamnet.

At least eight children of the bodies recovered so far were, reports Vnexpress.

The rescue efforts are continued in the night to find the many missing people.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent out his condolences to the families of the dead.

The authorities will examine the cause of the accident and “cope with strict violations”, according to a state declaration.

Ha Long Bay in the Province of Quang Ninh is littered with hundreds of tiny islands and will attract four million tourists in 2019 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.