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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Death toll from Vietnam boat accident climbs to 38
Emergency services attend to a capsized tourist boat, which was believed to be carrying more than 50 passengers, in Halong Bay, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, on July 19, 2025. Photo: Vietnam's Traffic Police Department/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images The death toll from a tourist boat accident in Vietnam's Halong Bay climbed to at least 38 with several people still missing, the government said, as rescuers continued to search for survivors while bracing for the approach of Typhoon Wipha. The vessel capsized on Saturday afternoon carrying 48 tourists and five crew members in one of the worst boating accidents in recent years in the popular tourist area. "At least 38 of those on board have been confirmed dead and 10 rescued," the government said in a statement. The official Vietnam News Agency reported that all the tourists were Vietnamese, including several children. Dozens of rescuers, including border guards, navy personnel, police and professional divers, have been deployed. Although the sea had calmed, weather conditions limited visibility, making rescue operations difficult. Rescuers managed to retrieve the sunken boat, the government said. The accident took place around 2pm local time (0700 GMT) on Saturday, soon after Typhoon Wipha entered the South China Sea. Authorities reported strong winds, heavy rainfall and lightning in the area at the time of the incident, adding that these conditions were not yet influenced by the approaching typhoon but were due to wind patterns over the northern region. Halong Bay, about 200km (125 miles) northeast of Hanoi, attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. Boat tours are particularly popular. In 2011, the sinking of a tour boat in Halong Bay killed 12 people, including foreign tourists. Typhoon Wipha, the third to hit the South China Sea this year, is projected to make landfall along Vietnam's northern coast early next week.

The Hindu
15-07-2025
- The Hindu
GVMC launches AI-based ‘Project SARTHI' for smart traffic management in Visakhapatnam
Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Ketan Garg on Tuesday announced the launch of 'Project SARTHI' (Systematic Augmented Radial Traffic & Hoop Induction), a pilot initiative to implement an AI-based Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) in the city. The project, being implemented in coordination with the Traffic Police Department, involves five IT companies working across selected city stretches. It includes Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD), and Facial Recognition Systems (FRS). ANPR and RLVD systems are being tested at Akkayyapalem, Urvasi, R&B, Gopalapatnam, and Yendada Junctions, while FRS is being piloted at Sampath Vinayaka Temple, Dwaraka RTC Complex, Passport Office-R&B, Simhachalam RTC Complex, and VIMS Hospital area. The Commissioner said the objective is to ensure smooth vehicular movement, reduce accidents and traffic violations, and align with smart city goals. The pilot will run for a month, following which the most effective model will be scaled up across the city. Garbage collection In a separate review meeting with Public Health Officials, Mr. Garg instructed them to personally inspect sanitation work every morning. He emphasised that daily household garbage collection through CLAP vehicles must be ensured, with each vehicle making three mandatory trips as per route maps. He also directed that microphone announcements be made during garbage collection to spread public awareness. Ward sanitary secretaries and inspectors were asked to identify and monitor frequent garbage dumping points and to move compactor bins periodically to avoid accumulation. Any waste found outside commercial complexes must attract penalties from shop owners, he said.


Indian Express
21-06-2025
- Indian Express
Foreign tourist nearly crushed by train on Hanoi's cafe street, viral video sparks outrage
A foreign tourist in Vietnam had a near-death experience that was captured on video and is now going viral, reigniting concerns over the safety of Hanoi's infamous railway cafe street. The clip, shared by Instagram page @mustsharenews, shows tourists lounging dangerously close to the railway track, which runs through a tight corridor lined with cafes. As a train approaches, the driver sounds the horn multiple times. But just as the fourth coach passes, a man – distracted by his phone – gets his knee hit by the train. Nearby tourists immediately leap into action, pulling him back just in time. Drinks spill and furniture topples in the panic, but disaster is averted thanks to quick reflexes. The video, now with nearly a million views, has sparked alarm and anger online. A post shared by MS News (@mustsharenews) Another praised the bystander's quick actions, saying, 'God bless the dude behind him who yanked him out of the way to save his life. That's some fast survival skills there.' A third viewer commented, 'There should be a boundary so that no one would get closer.' A fourth Instagram user said, 'I mean, you get this close to the train! This answers my question if accidents like this do happen. It can. It did!' Despite authorities declaring the area off-limits in September 2022, large crowds still continue to flock to the cafes along the railway tracks, drawn by the thrill and viral appeal of witnessing a train pass within inches of their seats. Local residents are frustrated too. Doan Quang Hai, from Dong Da District, told VietNamNet, 'After what was captured in this video, I hope authorities act decisively before a real tragedy occurs.' Another resident, Nguyen Linh from Thanh Xuan District, criticised the continued attraction of such a risky spot for foreign tourists. 'This sends a poor message about Vietnam's traffic safety standards and risks leaving a bad impression on international visitors. It should be shut down,' she told VietNamNet. Authorities appear to be taking the incident seriously. A representative from the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security confirmed to VietNamNet, 'In recent times, the traffic police, in coordination with local authorities, have carried out campaigns to educate, persuade, and take firm action against businesses encroaching on railway safety corridors. Yet some continue to evade enforcement and violate regulations.' The train cafe zone, which straddles Dien Bien (Ba Dinh District), Cua Nam, and Hang Bong (Hoan Kiem District), has been a popular yet controversial tourist destination for years. In October 2019, the Hanoi People's Committee issued a strict directive to crack down on businesses operating illegally along the tracks. Confirming the violations, Hoan Kiem District authorities stated that vendors along the railway in Phung Hung 'do not meet rail safety standards.'