At least nine people have died and one remains missing after four boats capsized in a sudden storm on a river in Qianxi City, located in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, local authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The accident occurred when unexpected strong winds struck the area, overturning the boats and plunging 84 people into the water. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the site to carry out search and rescue operations.
According to the local rescue headquarters, 70 people have been rescued and are receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Four individuals were pulled from the water unharmed. A large-scale search operation continues for the one person still unaccounted for.
In response to the incident, provincial authorities mobilized nearly 500 personnel, including police officers, firefighters, and medical teams, to assist with the ongoing efforts. The rescue teams are working around the clock to locate the missing individual and ensure the safety of survivors.
Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a directive calling for maximum efforts to find the missing person and provide comprehensive care to those injured in the accident. In a statement carried by Xinhua News Agency, Xi expressed concern over the rising number of safety-related incidents across various parts of the country in recent weeks.
He urged local authorities and relevant agencies to treat these incidents as serious warnings, emphasizing the need to eliminate complacency, reinforce safety responsibilities, and implement stricter oversight and risk prevention across sectors.
President Xi also highlighted the importance of strengthening safety protocols, particularly in areas prone to public gatherings such as tourist attractions, residential communities, and transportation hubs, especially as the country experiences high travel volumes during holiday periods.
This latest incident underscores growing concerns about safety preparedness amid sudden weather changes and rising tourism in inland regions. Local authorities have not yet disclosed whether the boats were operating as part of a tour or private outings.
Investigations into the cause of the accident and potential regulatory lapses are expected to follow once rescue operations conclude.
