China tourist boat capsized in a tragic accident on Sunday, May 4, in southwestern China, leaving at least 10 people dead and 70 others hospitalized, according to various media sources.
Strong winds reportedly caused four sightseeing boats to overturn in the Wu River, located in Qianxi City, Guizhou Province. A total of 84 individuals were thrown into the water. The death toll rose to 10 after the body of one missing person was recovered on Monday, as per BBC reports.
China tourist boat capsized: Sudden storm sparks chaos
The accident happened as China wrapped up its week-long May Day break, a peak period for domestic travel. The sudden storm, accompanied by rain and hail, caught many off guard. According to National Public Radio (NPR), video footage aired by state media showed a bystander giving CPR to a victim near the scene.
In total, over 500 emergency personnel—including firefighters, police officers, and medics—were dispatched to assist with rescue efforts. Footage shared by CCTV, China’s state broadcaster, depicted ambulances and fire trucks lining the riverbank.
China tourist boat capsized: Safety reforms urged
Following the China tourist boat capsized incident, President Xi Jinping called for immediate and thorough search and rescue operations. He stressed the need to strengthen safety protocols, especially during peak tourism seasons.
This tragedy follows a similar accident two months prior, where 11 lives were lost when a passenger vessel collided with an industrial ship in Hunan province. Authorities are now being urged to tighten public safety regulations and boost emergency preparedness for popular travel times.
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Source: www.people.com
