On the evening of July 19, rescue teams recovered the child from inside the sunken Vinh Xanh 58 vessel. The boy, identified as Hoang Nhat M. (born 2015), resides in Hoang Mai Ward, Hanoi.

Medical personnel at the scene said the boy was found in relatively stable physical condition, though he was visibly traumatized. According to his account, he was traveling with his family when the boat overturned due to a sudden storm. He managed to find refuge in an air pocket within the vessel, stayed calm, and waited for rescue.

After some time trapped underwater, he attempted to escape on his own and was eventually discovered and rescued by emergency forces.

“Everything happened so fast,” he recalled. “I tried to get out, and then the soldiers rescued me.”

He was immediately warmed, stabilized, and transferred to Bai Chay Hospital for monitoring. His current condition is reported as stable, but his parents’ whereabouts remain unknown.

Challenging recovery efforts continue

Later that night, Quang Ninh provincial police confirmed that search and rescue operations were still underway. The Vinh Xanh 58, a licensed tourist boat operating Route 2 from Ha Long International Passenger Port, was carrying 53 people: 48 passengers (including 7 children) and 5 crew members. All passengers were Vietnamese.

As the boat was returning to port, it encountered a powerful squall between Hon Ga Choi and Hon Co Don, which caused it to capsize.

Provincial authorities immediately deployed fire and rescue forces, traffic police, and related units to the site. The boat’s owner and captain, identified as D.V.T., is a resident of Ha An Ward, Quang Ninh.

Deputy Chairman of the Quang Ninh People's Committee, Nguyen Van Cong, stated that border guards, coast guard, fisheries inspectors, and rescue vessels have been fully mobilized.

“Water levels are currently low, which aids access to the wreck,” he said. “However, the salvage operation must be calculated carefully to ensure the safety of rescuers.”

Simultaneous rescue strategies are being implemented, including the deployment of professional divers to inspect inside the hull, where more victims may be trapped.

“The underwater terrain is complicated, making access and recovery difficult,” said rescue diver Tran Huy Lieu. “Our priority is saving lives. Full recovery of the vessel may take until late tonight or early tomorrow.”

As of now, emergency operations remain at the highest level of urgency. Local and national agencies are fully engaged, determined to find the remaining missing individuals and bring closure to this devastating incident.

Bao Khanh