Death toll rises to 9 after tourist boats capsize in China
Death toll rises to 9 after tourist boats capsize in China
BEIJING – Nine people died and 70 were hospitalised after strong winds caused four boats carrying tourists to capsize at a scenic spot in south-western China, state media said on May 5.
The passenger boats overturned on the afternoon of May 4 on a river in Qianxi city, Guizhou province, state broadcaster CCTV said, sending 84 people into the water.
The China Daily, citing the official Xinhua news agency, said the boats overturned at around 4pm when torrential rain swept over the Liuchong River, a tributary of the upper Wujiang River.
Passengers and crew members were thrown into the water. By 7pm, rescue teams had pulled more than 50 people from the river.
As at the morning of May 5, nine were dead, 70 have been hospitalised and four were unharmed, Xinhua said.
One person remains missing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged 'all-out efforts' in the search and rescue operations and the treatment of those injured, Xinhua said.
Mr Xi also 'underscored the importance of strengthening safety measures in tourist attractions' and other large public venues, the agency said.
Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing was dispatched to the scene to oversee the rescue efforts, state media added.
An investigation has found that the boats were not overloaded with passengers, CCTV said.
The incident comes just over two months after 11 people were killed in a boat collision in central China.
The accident in Hunan province occurred when a passenger boat struck an industrial vessel, throwing 19 people overboard. AFP
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