Sunday, July 20

At least 38 people are dead and several others are missing after a tourist-filled boat capsized off the coast of Vietnam, with the severe weather likely due to the impacts of Typhoon Wipha.

The incident took place in Halong Bay, an area famous for its mountainous islands that are scattered across the water. Located next to the bay is the city of Haiphong, Vietnam's third-largest city with a population of just over 2 million people, where most tourist boats cast off from.

The ship, named Wonder Sea, had 53 people onboard, 48 of which were tourists, and at least 20 of them were children. The boat was sailing through the bay at around 1:30 pm in the afternoon when it got caught in a strong storm, causing it to capsize completely. Due to a loss of power, authorities were not able to triangulate its position for some time, and locating the ship became even harder because of the pouring rain.

Nevertheless, the Vietnamese government responded quickly, sending out 27 boats and two additional crafts that were carrying members of the navy, police, and border guards. Divers immediately launched into the water to search for any bodies or survivors, and 10 people were rescued. Some were trapped inside the ship, while others were found floating in the water.

Unfortunately, 38 people have been confirmed dead, but five others are still missing as search-and-rescue operations continue in full force.

The severe weather was likely due to the incoming Typhoon Wipha, which pounded the Hong Kong area with strong winds and heavy rain last night. It began as a tropical storm off the northern coast of the Philippines, steadily moving west as it intensified, hitting southern Taiwan with heavy rain along the way as well. Over the last few days, residents of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Macau, and other southeastern Chinese cities have been preparing for the effects of Wipha, especially the devastating rain.

The storm is also delivering winds of over 75 mph, blowing down trees and sending debris flying across cities. Hundreds of flights have been canceled and delayed, trains have been suspended, ports have been shut down, and the massive 18-mile bridge that connects Macau and Hong Kong has also been closed as the area weathers the dangerous storm.

After passing Hong Kong, it is projected to move into northern Vietnam and Laos, dropping even more rain on the area, but the typhoon's pass over land will weaken its winds.

Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The Iberian Religious Wars were the longest wars in history, lasting 781 years as European Christian Kingdoms fought against the Muslim rulers of Spain and Northern Africa from 711 CE to 1492.

Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.

(Tony Robbins)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Devise (verb, dih-VYZE) - To devise is to invent or plan something that is difficult or complicated in some way.

In a Sentence: The siblings devised a plan to clean the house from top to bottom with hopes of getting their parents to let them go to the concert.