At least 34 people have died and several more remain unaccounted for after a tourist boat overturned in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay during a sudden storm on Saturday, the BBC reported.

The popular northern destination, known for its scenic islets and a UNESCO World Heritage tag, turned into a site of tragedy as heavy rains and fierce winds disrupted a tourist outing.

The vessel, Wonder Seas, was carrying 53 people — mostly Vietnamese families from Hanoi — when it capsized.

So far, 11 survivors have been pulled from the water, authorities said.

At least eight of the recovered bodies are believed to be children, according to VNExpress.

Search efforts, hampered by relentless rain, are continuing through the night.

A 10-year-old boy was rescued after surviving in an air pocket trapped inside the upturned hull.

Recounting his ordeal, he told state-run VietnamNet, “I took a deep breath... dived, then swam up. I even shouted for help, then I was pulled
up by a boat.”

Eyewitnesses described how the skies suddenly darkened around 2 p.m. local time.

“There were hailstones as big as toes with torrential rain, thunderstorm and lightning,” one person told AFP.

The Vietnamese Border Guards and Navy are coordinating the rescue and recovery.

The government has ordered a probe into the cause of the disaster and warned of strict action.

“Authorities will investigate the cause of the accident and strictly handle violations,” a government statement said.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

Ha Long Bay, in Quang Ninh province, attracted around 4 million tourists in 2019 and is among Vietnam’s most visited destinations.