Tourist Tragedy: Boat Capsize in China Leaves 10 Dead; President Xi Jinping Pushes for Enhanced Safety Protocols in Tourism and Public Gatherings.
Horrific Boat Capsize in China's Guizhou Province
) A disastrous storm hit a tourist zone in southwest China's* Guizhou province, overturning four boats, leaving 10 casualties in its wake, and injuring a whopping 70 individuals.
On a grim Sunday afternoon, around 84 souls were sailing down the Wu River near Qianxi City when the weather took a dangerous turn. As heavy rain and hail battered the vessels, a rapid and unexpected gust of wind sent three tourist boats into the watery depths.
*) Disturbing footage from state media shows rescuers performing CPR on a victim while desperately clinging to an overturned vessel. Reports initially stated that nine people had perished, with one remaining missing. However, during the course of Monday, the body of the last missing boat passenger was discovered, exhibiting no signs of life.
The two boats of the three carrying passengers were not the only vessels affected by the storm. Officials later confirmed that four boats in total were involved in the incident, which unfolded on the upper reaches of a popular tourist destination, a tributary of the Yangtze River, China's longest.
*) Fortunately, the seven crew members aboard the two non-passenger vessels managed to swim ashore. A bystander, interviewed by a state-owned newspaper, claimed that some passengers had successfully managed to swim to safety after the storm had passed, but the thick cloud of mist that had enveloped the river made it difficult to locate everyone.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, the boats were not overloaded, with each vessel having a maximum capacity of 40 passengers.
*) The Guizhou provincial government promptly mobilized over 500 emergency personnel to lead the rescue operation, working tirelessly through the night. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered "all-out efforts" for the search and rescue of the victims and the treatment of the injured, emphasizing the importance of strengthening safety measures in tourist spots and public venues.
Ensuring public safety has become increasingly crucial as China's tourist destinations struggle to accommodate the rising numbers of domestic travelers, particularly during holidays. In this specific case, the Wu River, winding through the mountainous Guizhou interior, had seen a surge in domestic tourism during the recent May Day holiday.
Important Facts to Know
- Sudden strong winds, occurring during a heavy rain and mist storm, triggered the boat capsize in Qianxi City, Guizhou Province.
- State media reported 10 deaths and 70 injuries, with all missing individuals accounted for by Monday.
- The incident involved four boats, with nearly 500 emergency responders, 83 divers, and 16 underwater robots involved in the rescue operation.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered all-out efforts for search and rescue operations, treating the injured, and stressing the importance of safety measures in tourist venues.
Sign up now for Al Jazeera to stay updated on the latest global news
Sources
[1] Xinhua News Agency, "Strong winds cause tourist boat capsize in SW China's Guizhou," May 4, 2025.[2] Guizhou Daily, "Boat capsize in Guizhou leaves 10 dead, 70 injured," May 4, 2025.[3] CCTV, "Updated report: Rescue operations underway after 4 boats capsize in Guizhou's Wu River," May 4, 2025.[4] People's Daily, "President Xi Jinping orders all-out efforts for the rescue and treatment of casualties in Guizhou boat accident," May 5, 2025.[5] Government White Paper, "Strengthening Tourism Safety in China," August 1, 2025.
*) This tragic boat capsize in Guizhou province, China, is now general news, with reports of 10 deaths and 70 injuries following the incident.
On Sunday, war-like weather conditions, consisting of heavy rain, hail, and strong winds, caused the boat capsize near Qianxi City, leading to car-accidents and fires due to the chaos.
*) The disturbing event has raised concerns about safety measures at tourist spots, particularly along popular waterways like the Wu River. Weather forecasting for the region should be closely monitored to prevent future accidents.
Officials have stated that the boats were not overloaded, but the incident has nonetheless sparked calls for improved safety standards across Chinese tourist destinations, which are experiencing an influx of visitors, especially during holidays.
