Guizhou, China — May 5, 2025
A sudden storm turned a scenic river outing into a tragedy on Sunday afternoon in Guizhou province, southwestern China, when four tourist boats capsized on the Wu River, a tributary of the Yangtze. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people and left 70 others hospitalized.
The disaster occurred around 4:00 PM local time near Qianxi city, a popular tourist destination known for its picturesque mountains and rivers. The boats were navigating the river during the final day of China’s five-day May Day holiday when they were caught off guard by a sudden storm characterized by strong winds, heavy rain, and hail. The abrupt change in weather caused the vessels to overturn, plunging approximately 84 people into the water.
Of the four boats involved, two were carrying tourists, while the other two were unoccupied at the time. All seven crew members from the unoccupied boats managed to escape unharmed.
Emergency response teams, including divers and rescue boats, were dispatched promptly to the scene. Rescue operations continued into the night, with divers using torch lights to search the overturned vessels for any individuals who might have been trapped inside. Drone footage captured the intensity of the rescue efforts amidst the challenging weather conditions.
Among the 84 individuals who fell into the river, 70 were hospitalized with injuries. Most of the injuries were reported as non-life-threatening, and only four individuals did not require hospitalization.
In the wake of the tragedy, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” in the search and rescue operations. He emphasized the need to enhance safety measures at tourist sites and public venues, especially during peak holiday travel periods. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was dispatched to oversee the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the boats were not overloaded at the time of the incident. Witnesses reported that the storm arrived suddenly, with thick mist reducing visibility and making rescue efforts more challenging.
This incident adds to a series of recent transportation-related tragedies in China. Just over two months ago, a boat collision in Hunan province resulted in 11 fatalities. In that case, a small ferry was struck by an oil spill cleaning vessel on the Yuanshui River, leading to the deaths of 11 people and leaving five more missing.
These incidents have raised concerns about safety standards in China’s tourism industry. Authorities have been urged to implement stricter regulations and ensure that all tourist vessels are equipped with necessary safety equipment, including life jackets and communication devices.
