5 Taiwanese die in boat accident in Vietnam

Five Taiwanese tourists died when their cruise boat collided with another vessel on Wednesday in Vietnam’s scenic Halong Bay, a hospital official and state media reported.

Thirteen other tourists were rescued after the accident, Vietnam TV reported. It didn’t mention the fate of the crew.

Hospital deputy director Giang Qouc Duy said one of victims was a child.

Halong Bay is visited by many thousands of tourists each year on mostly small cruise vessels.

In February last year, 11 international tourists and one Vietnamese were killed when their boat sank.

Safety standards are reportedly lax, especially on the cheaper cruises, and there have been several deadly accidents over the years.