A sudden flash flood struck a remote camping area in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region late Saturday, resulting in eight fatalities and leaving four people missing. Local authorities confirmed the tragedy on Sunday, as emergency teams continue search operations in the affected area.
The floodwaters surged through Urad Rear Banner, a region under Bayannur City, around 10 p.m. on Saturday. According to the banner's publicity department, 13 campers were initially reported unaccounted for. By Sunday morning, one individual had been rescued, while eight bodies were recovered and four remain missing.
Authorities attributed the disaster to heavy rainfall upstream, which triggered the rapid rise of a local river. Over 200 rescuers, including firefighters, medical personnel, and drones, have been deployed to comb through debris and challenging terrain. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in remote camping sites during extreme weather events.
This tragedy underscores the importance of disaster preparedness in Asia's rapidly developing regions, where climate-related risks increasingly intersect with outdoor tourism. Analysts urge travelers to monitor weather advisories and local guidelines, particularly in areas prone to sudden environmental shifts.
