HANOI – The country’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed on Sunday that three additional bodies were discovered inside the cabin of the vessel, bringing the total number of confirmed fatalities to 38. Among the dead are eight children.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when the boat, carrying 48 tourists and five crew members, capsized due to strong winds during a tour of the bay.

The Search and Rescue Department said the bodies of the three crew members found today had been trapped inside the submerged cabin. Rescue operations are ongoing as officials work to locate any remaining missing passengers.

Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans over 1,500 square kilometres and is dotted with nearly 2,000 limestone islands. It is one of Vietnam’s top tourist destinations, drawing millions of visitors annually for its scenic beauty and boat tours.