10 dead as tourist boats capsize in storm in China

Four boats capsized during a sudden storm at a tourist destination in southwestern China, resulting in the deaths of 10 people, according to state media reports.

More than 80 individuals fell into the river when strong winds swept through the scenic area in Guizhou province on Sunday afternoon, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The vessels overturned after a sudden downpour accompanied by hail struck the upper section of the Wu River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, China’s longest waterway.

Footage shared by state media showed one person administering CPR as one of the boats floated upside down in the background.

While initial accounts mentioned only two boats, updated reports on Monday confirmed that four boats were affected. Two of them were carrying tourists, while the remaining two were empty. All seven crew members from the empty vessels managed to escape unharmed, according to CCTV.

Guizhou’s natural scenery makes it a popular travel spot, especially during national holidays. The incident occurred as many people were on the move for a five-day holiday that concluded on Monday.

President Xi Jinping called for full-scale rescue efforts and care for the injured, as reported by the official Xinhua News Agency. Around 70 people were taken to hospitals, mostly with minor injuries.

In light of recent fatal incidents, Xi stressed the need to improve safety measures at tourist destinations, crowded public areas, and residential zones—especially during busy travel periods.

CCTV noted that each capsized boat had a maximum capacity of around 40 passengers and none were overloaded at the time.

An eyewitness told the Beijing News that although the river was deep, some individuals managed to swim to shore. The storm struck suddenly, and heavy mist made it difficult to see the river’s surface.