At least nine people died and one remains missing after two passenger boats capsized on the Liuchong River in Qianxi City, a popular tourist destination in Guizhou Province. The incident occurred Sunday afternoon during peak travel hours, triggering rapid emergency response efforts.
Local authorities confirmed 83 survivors have been rescued and 70 injured passengers hospitalized with non-life-threatening conditions. Search teams continue combing the river under challenging conditions to locate the missing individual.
"All available resources are being deployed for this operation," said a spokesperson from Qianxi's emergency management bureau, emphasizing coordination between maritime rescue units and medical teams. The cause of the capsizing remains under investigation, though heavy spring rains have caused increased water levels across the region in recent weeks.
Guizhou Province, known for its dramatic karst landscapes and river tourism, attracts millions of visitors annually. Sunday's tragedy highlights ongoing safety discussions surrounding water transportation infrastructure in mountainous regions. Similar accidents in China have led to enhanced safety protocols and real-time river monitoring systems in recent years.
