HANOI: At least 13 people were killed and four others missing after a tourist boat capsized Saturday in bad weather off the coast of Hoi An, a world heritage-listed Vietnamese city, an official said.
The accident occurred as the vessel carrying 39 local tourists and crew members 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 drowned and four were missing.
Rescue efforts were suspended in the evening because of fading light, he said.
“We cannot do anything further as it is too dark,” he told AFP, adding a full investigation would be carried out and some survivors were receiving medical treatment.
“We will resume the search at first light tomorrow morning for the other four people.”
A local border guard said among the missing were two children.
“Chances of them being found alive are small,” he said.
There had been rough weather — strong winds and big waves in recent days, he said.
Vietnam’s domestic tourism industry rebooted in early February, at the beginning of the Tet traditional lunar new year, after shutting down during strict coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions last year.
Hoi An’s sandy beaches and beautiful architecture are a drawcard for both local and international travelers.
13 dead after tourist boat sinks in Vietnam
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13 dead after tourist boat sinks in Vietnam
- Local Communist Party chief Nguyen Sinh confirmed 13 people drowned and four were missing
Trump says US struck Daesh targets in Nigeria after group targeted Christians
- The US recently designated Nigera a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida: President Donald Trump said Thursday night that he’d launched a “powerful and deadly strike” against Daesh forces in Nigeria, after he spent weeks decrying the group for targeting Christians.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against Daesh Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!” the president posted on his social media site.
Last month, Trump said he’d ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria following the claims of Christian persecution. The State Department then announced in recent weeks that it would restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members involved in mass killings and violence against Christians in the West African country.
The US recently designated Nigera a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.
“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” Trump wrote in his Christmas night post. He said that US defense officials had “executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”
The president added: “our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.”
