Tourist boats capsize in sudden storm in southwest China, leaving 9 dead and 1 missing

Four boats capsized in a sudden storm on a river in southwestern China, leaving nine people dead and one missing, state media said on May 5.

More than 80 people fell into the water when strong winds hit the scenic area in Guizhou province on May 4 afternoon, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The boats capsized after a sudden rain and hailstorm hit the upper reaches of the Wu River, a tributary of the Yangtze, China’s longest river. In one video shared by state media, a man could be seen performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on another person, while one of the vessels drifted upside down.

Initial reports said two tourist boats had capsized, but state media said on Monday that four boats were involved. The other two boats had no passengers, and the seven crew members were able to save themselves.

Guizhou’s mountains and rivers are a major tourism draw, and many Chinese are travelling during a five-day national holiday that ends Monday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to find the missing and care for the injured.

Noting a recent series of fatal accidents, Xi underscored the importance of strengthening safety at tourist attractions, large public venues and residential communities, as well as for the rush of people returning at the end of holidays.

The capsized boats each had a maximum capacity of about 40 people and were not overloaded.

An eyewitness said the waters were deep but that some people had managed to swim to safety. However, the storm had come suddenly and a thick mist obscured the surface of the river.

By Khagan Isayev