At least 13 people were killed and four others missing after a tourist boat capsized Saturday due to bad weather off the coast of Hoi An, a world heritage-listed Vietnamese city, an official said.
The accident happened as the boat carrying 39 local tourists and crew was returning to Hoi An from Cu Lao Cham Island, a popular spot for diving, snorkelling and water sports.
Local Communist Party chief Nguyen Sinh confirmed 13 people had drowned and four were missing.
Rescue efforts were halted at night because of the lack of light, he said.
“We can’t do anything else because it’s too dark,” he told AFPadding that a full investigation will be carried out and some of the survivors are receiving medical treatment.
A local border guard said among the missing were two children.
“The chances of them being found alive are small,” he said.
He said the place was hit by bad weather, namely strong winds and big waves, in recent days.
Vietnam’s domestic tourism industry restarted in early February, at the start of the traditional Tet Chinese New Year, after being closed for lockdown and strict restrictions due to the corona virus last year. [ah]