Four Boats Capsize in Southwest China Storm, Leaving Nine Dead and One Missing

A sudden storm turned a scenic river journey into tragedy in Guizhou province, southwestern China, as four boats capsized on Sunday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of nine people and leaving one still missing, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The incident occurred on the upper reaches of the Wu River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, when a powerful rain and hailstorm struck the area unexpectedly. Over 80 individuals were thrown into the water during the chaos, many of them tourists enjoying the region's natural beauty during China’s five-day national holiday.

Initial reports indicated that two tourist boats had capsized, but updated information confirmed that four boats were affected. Two of the vessels had no passengers at the time, and the seven crew members aboard them managed to escape safely.

Video footage aired by state media showed a man performing CPR on another individual while a capsized boat floated upside down in the river. Eyewitnesses described how the storm arrived suddenly, with thick mist making it difficult to see the water's surface. Some passengers were able to swim to shore despite the deep waters.

Authorities confirmed that the boats were not overloaded, with each vessel reportedly operating within its capacity limit of 40 passengers.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an "all-out effort" in the ongoing search and rescue operations, as well as support for the injured. According to Xinhua News Agency, Xi also stressed the need to reinforce safety protocols at tourist destinations, public spaces, and residential areas—particularly as holiday travel winds down.

The picturesque yet rugged terrain of Guizhou has become an increasingly popular destination for domestic tourists, especially during national holidays. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the need for preparedness in the face of rapidly changing weather conditions.