Tourist boats capsize in sudden storm in southwest China, leaving 10 dead

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, rescuers carrying out search and rescue operation at the site where two passenger boats capsized in Qianxi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province on Sunday, May 4, 2025. (Xinhua via AP)

BEIJING — Four boats capsized in a sudden storm at a tourist spot in southwestern China, killing 10 people, state media said Monday.

More than 80 people fell into a river when strong winds hit the scenic area in Guizhou province late Sunday afternoon, state broadcaster CCTV said.

The boats capsized after a sudden rain and hail storm on the upper reaches of the Wu River, a tributary of the Yangtze, China’s longest river. In one video shared by state media, a man could be seen performing CPR on another person, while one of the vessels drifted upside down.

Initial reports said two tourist boats had capsized, but state media said on Monday that four boats were involved. The other two boats had no passengers, and the seven crew members were able to save themselves, CCTV said.

Guizhou’s mountains and rivers are a major tourism draw, and many Chinese were traveling during a five-day national holiday that ended Monday.

The Associated Press