A Ha Long Bay cruise boat burst into flames last Friday, prompting the passengers and crew on board to jump into the water to save their lives.
According to Zing, the incident took place around 11am following a sightseeing trip on the Aphrodite Cruise boat. The vessel had just docked at Tuan Chau Island when it unexpectedly burst into flames, forcing passengers to jump overboard for their safety, reports Tuoi Tre.
Quang Ninh Provincial Police appeared on the scene shortly thereafter, mobilizing 30 firefighters to stop the blaze. All 36 foreign passengers on board and one Vietnamese guide were rescued and returned safely to shore. Three people suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital.
This is far from the first time a boat has caught fire in Ha Long Bay. In 2014, a boat carrying 17 tourists caught fire during a cruise, while two other vessels burst into flames last year, including one on Christmas Day.
Officials in Quang Ninh province have discussed the possibility of banning overnight cruises in Ha Long.
[Photos via Zing and Thanh Nien]
