Divers searched beneath the waves for missing passengers and crew after a sightseeing ship capsized in a squall in Halong Bay, a popular tourist destination in Vietnam, on Saturday. At least 36 of those on board have been confirmed dead, state media reported on Monday. As of Monday local time, search and rescue efforts remained underway for those who are still missing but were operating in difficult conditions as Typhoon Wipha approached, according to state-run Vietnam News Agency. The vessel was carrying 53 people – 48 tourists and five crew members – according to local paper VN Express. In an interview with state media outlet Vietnamnet, a 64-year-old diver at the scene said much of the ship’s passenger area had been searched. The cockpit and engine room, however, are stuck in mud, making them harder to reach. “As of now, I am certain there are no more bodies in the passenger cabin,” said diver Đinh Khắc Giông. “I only worry that some bodies may have drifted outside.” On Monday, rescue teams recovered the body of a six-year-old boy who had been traveling with his family, according to VNA. His body was found close to a nearby island, the outlet reported. Ten people have been been rescued but three remain unaccounted for, according to VNA, which cited local officials. VNA reported that all of the tourists were Vietnamese, according to Reuters news agency. VN Express reported that the ship, called the Wonder Sea, was caught in a storm around 1.30 p.m. local time (2.30 a.m. ET), which caused it to capsize. It then lost GPS signal, according to the outlet, which cited the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee.

Full report : Tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam, killing dozens.