But a storm quickly covered the sky, bringing high winds and pouring rain, survivor Dang Anh Tuan told The Associated Press.

Rescue workers saved 11 people, some of whom had clung to the capsized boat’s hull for hours. Source: AP / QDND

Tuan said the passengers asked for the boat to turn back to shore, but the crew reassured them they were almost at their destination and kept the boat moving forward.

Tuan, along with three other individuals, managed to stay alive by holding onto the overturned boat and its propellers for support. They endured this ordeal for an additional two hours until the rain ceased and rescue teams made it to their location.

Ha Long Bay in Vietnam attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Source: PA / Nguyen Van Hai-Barbier Jean Pierre

The Wonder Sea boat was later seen being towed to a shipyard for investigation, with most of its windows shattered, and damage to its roof and handrails.