Three people have died and 14 remain missing after two sightseeing boats capsized in China’s Guizhou province, throwing more than 70 tourists into the water in what marks the second major maritime tragedy in the country within two months.
Key Insights
- Two sightseeing boats capsized in Qianxi city, Guizhou province, resulting in 3 deaths and 14 missing persons
- Over 70 people were thrown into the water with 60 requiring hospitalization
- Massive rescue operation involves 83 divers, 16 underwater robots, 248 personnel, and 24 vessels
- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for stronger safety measures at tourist attractions
- This incident follows another fatal boat collision in Hunan province just two months ago
Disaster at Popular Tourist Destination
A major maritime disaster unfolded in China’s southwestern Guizhou province when two sightseeing boats capsized at a tourist attraction in Qianxi city on May 4, 2025. The incident threw approximately 70 passengers into the water, resulting in three confirmed deaths while rescue teams continue searching for 14 people still missing. Local authorities report that 60 survivors have been hospitalized, though the severity of their injuries remains unclear. The exact cause of the capsizing has not yet been determined by officials investigating the scene.
Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has personally traveled to the disaster site to oversee rescue operations, demonstrating the high-level government response to the tragedy. The scale of the rescue effort is substantial, with authorities deploying 83 professional divers, 16 underwater robots, 248 rescue personnel, and 24 vessels to locate missing tourists and recover victims. The search continues in what appears to be a challenging recovery operation in the river waters of Qianxi.
Government Response and Safety Concerns
Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued directives calling for “all-out efforts” in the ongoing rescue operations. In a significant statement following the incident, Xi emphasized the urgent need for improved safety measures at tourist attractions throughout China. His involvement signals the seriousness with which the central government is treating this disaster, particularly as it comes in the wake of another deadly maritime incident just months earlier. The direct intervention from China’s highest leadership underscores growing concerns about maritime safety standards nationwide.
Three dead and 14 missing after two sightseeing boats carrying tourists capsize in China https://t.co/l6l8j8xX7S
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) May 4, 2025
Pattern of Maritime Incidents
This capsizing tragedy follows another serious boat collision that occurred just two months ago in central China’s Hunan province. That earlier incident resulted in 11 deaths when a passenger boat collided with an industrial vessel used for oil waste recovery. The investigation into the Hunan crash continues, with three individuals from the industrial vessel reportedly detained by police for questioning. The proximity of these two fatal incidents has raised significant questions about the enforcement of maritime safety regulations across China’s busy waterways.
The rescue operations in the Hunan incident were similarly complicated by challenging conditions, including deep waters and strong currents. Maritime safety experts have noted that China’s rapidly expanding tourism industry, particularly in scenic waterways, has sometimes outpaced the implementation of comprehensive safety protocols. The back-to-back nature of these incidents may prompt authorities to conduct broader reviews of boat safety across all tourist regions in China.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts
The search for the 14 missing individuals continues around the clock in Qianxi city. Local media reports that weather conditions and water visibility are affecting the speed of recovery operations. Family members of the missing have gathered near the site awaiting news, while hospitals in the region are treating the dozens of survivors pulled from the water. Chinese state media has provided regular updates on the rescue efforts, emphasizing the government’s commitment to finding all missing persons.
Local tourism operations in the area have been temporarily suspended while investigators work to determine the cause of the capsizing. Officials have not yet indicated whether overcrowding, weather conditions, mechanical failure, or operator error might have contributed to the disaster. As the investigation and rescue operations continue, both local and national authorities face mounting pressure to address what appears to be systemic safety challenges in China’s water-based tourism industry.
Sources:
- Three dead and 14 missing after two sightseeing boats carrying tourists capsize in China
- Three dead and 14 missing after two sightseeing boats carrying tourists capsize in China
