Karachi – At least 10 people lost their lives and 70 others were hospitalized after strong winds caused four tourist boats to capsize in Qianxi city, located in China’s southwestern Guizhou province, according to Chinese state media reports on Monday.
The tragic accident occurred on Sunday, during the closing days of China’s May Day holidays, a busy travel season. Strong winds struck suddenly, overturning the boats and sending 84 people into the river.
Authorities confirmed the death toll increased to 10 after one previously missing person’s body was found. Chinese President Xi Jinping had earlier ordered “all-out efforts” in the rescue operation and stressed the need to improve safety standards, especially during national holidays.
This incident comes just two months after 11 people were killed in a similar boating accident in Hunan province, and a separate helicopter crash in Suzhou over the weekend that killed one person and injured others has also raised public safety concerns.
