Shipwreck Log

On the afternoon of July 19, the passenger ship Wonder Sea capsized in Halong Bay near Dau Go Cave, Vietnam. The Wonder Sea was out on an excursion voyage with 53 persons on board, 48 passengers and 5 crew, when it was caught out in a storm.  Reports state the Wonder Sea lost stability in strong winds and capsized.

Vietnamese authorities were alerted with vessels from the navy, border patrol, local police and port authorities responding. Over 25 vessels were engaged in a search and rescue operation looking for survivors. Initial reports state some 11 people had been rescued from the water. Unfortunately some 34 bodies have also been recovered from the sea.

The search for the missing persons had some difficulty in the darkness and heavy rains still persist in the area. Divers continue to search the overturned Wonder Sea. The incident is under investigation.