Two sightseeing boats in China’s Guizhou province capsized suddenly, leading to 3 confirmed deaths and 14 missing persons as rescue teams race against time to find survivors.
Key Takeaways
- Two tourist boats capsized in Qianxi city, Guizhou province, throwing over 70 people into the water, leaving 3 dead and 14 missing
- 60 people have been hospitalized following the accident that occurred at a river tourist attraction
- A massive rescue operation has been mobilized with 83 divers, 16 underwater robots, 248 rescue personnel, and 24 vessels
- President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive rescue efforts and emphasized the need for improved safety measures at tourist sites
- This incident follows another fatal boat collision in Hunan province just two months ago that killed 11 people
Disaster Strikes Tourist Attraction
A massive rescue operation is underway in China’s southwestern Guizhou province after two sightseeing boats capsized, resulting in three confirmed deaths and 14 people still missing. The maritime disaster occurred on May 4, 2025, at a tourist attraction in Qianxi city. Over 70 passengers were thrown into the water when the vessels overturned. Chinese authorities report that 60 survivors have been hospitalized, though their conditions remain undisclosed. The cause of the capsizing has not yet been revealed by officials as rescue teams continue their urgent search.
Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has been dispatched to personally oversee the rescue efforts. The operation has mobilized significant resources, including 83 specialized divers, 16 underwater robots equipped with advanced searching capabilities, 248 rescue personnel, and 24 vessels. The scale of the response demonstrates the severity of the incident and the Chinese government’s commitment to locating potential survivors and recovering victims. Search teams are methodically combing the river and surrounding areas.
Leadership Response and Safety Concerns
Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued directives emphasizing the urgency of rescue operations and the imperative to save as many lives as possible. The president has called for “all-out efforts” to find the missing individuals and provide appropriate care for those injured in the accident. Additionally, President Xi stressed the necessity of implementing stronger safety measures at tourist attractions throughout the country to prevent similar tragedies in the future. This high-level attention underscores the significance of the incident.
This devastating event has sparked renewed concerns about waterway safety regulations in China, particularly at popular tourist destinations. The capsizing follows a previous deadly incident just two months ago in central China’s Hunan province. That accident involved a collision between a passenger boat and an industrial vessel on Yuanjiang River, which resulted in 11 fatalities. The series of maritime disasters raises questions about the enforcement of safety protocols and the maintenance standards for passenger vessels operating in China’s waterways.
Three dead and 14 missing after two sightseeing boats carrying tourists capsize in China https://t.co/l6l8j8xX7S
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) May 4, 2025
Previous Maritime Accidents Highlight Ongoing Issues
The Hunan province boat collision in March provides a troubling context for the current disaster. Rescue operations in that incident faced significant challenges due to deep waters and strong currents. Three individuals from the oil waste recovery vessel involved in the Hunan collision were detained by police as investigations continue. Chinese authorities have not yet indicated whether similar investigative measures will be implemented for the Guizhou capsizing, though standard procedure suggests a formal inquiry will follow the immediate rescue efforts.
Maritime safety experts have previously highlighted the need for enhanced regulatory frameworks governing tourist boat operations in China. As the tourism industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, infrastructure and safety oversight have sometimes struggled to keep pace. The proximity of these two deadly incidents may prompt authorities to conduct a more comprehensive review of boating regulations nationwide, particularly in areas with growing numbers of domestic tourists seeking experiences on China’s numerous waterways and scenic rivers.
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- Three dead and 14 missing after two sightseeing boats carrying tourists capsize in China
- Three dead and 14 missing after two sightseeing boats carrying tourists capsize in China
