At least nine people have died and one remains missing after four tourist boats capsized amid sudden strong winds in China’s southwestern Guizhou province, state media reported.

The incident occurred on Sunday in the city of Qianxi, where 84 people were thrown into the water after gusty winds overturned the vessels during a river cruise. The accident took place at the close of China’s May Day holiday—a time of heightened domestic travel activity.

Emergency responders managed to rescue the majority of those on board, with 70 individuals taken to hospital for treatment. While several people were initially unaccounted for, authorities confirmed that all but one have now been located.

President Xi Jinping ordered a full-scale rescue effort following news of the disaster and emphasized the urgent need to strengthen safety standards, particularly during high-travel periods. 

According to official statements, Xi noted that similar tragedies have occurred in recent months and called for stricter enforcement of public safety regulations to prevent further loss of life.

The deadly accident has cast a shadow over the holiday season, raising concerns over safety in China’s growing tourism sector. It also comes just two months after a fatal boat collision in Hunan province, where 11 people died when a passenger vessel crashed into an industrial ship.

Adding to the weekend’s string of tragedies, a sightseeing helicopter crashed in the eastern city of Suzhou at a recently opened park, killing one passenger and injuring four others.

As investigations into the Qianxi boat capsizing continue, local authorities are under pressure to reassess protocols for tourist transport operations, especially in regions prone to unpredictable weather.

Source: BBC

SMS/