A holiday boating trip turned deadly in southwestern China as four tourist boats capsized in strong winds, leaving nine people dead and one still missing.
The incident unfolded Sunday on a river in Qianxi city, Guizhou province, during the busy May Day holiday period — a peak time for domestic travel across China.
The boats were reportedly filled with tourists enjoying the final days of the week-long break when sudden winds swept across the water, overturning the vessels and throwing 84 passengers into the river. Emergency services were quickly deployed, and the majority of those on board were rescued. Seventy people were taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities confirmed that all but one person had been accounted for by Monday.
Search and recovery operations continued through the night and into the next day, with local officials coordinating efforts on the ground and additional support coming from provincial and national emergency teams.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for maximum effort in the search for the missing and emphasized the urgent need for improved safety across the tourism and transport sectors. His comments followed several recent incidents that raised concern about public safety during national holidays, when millions of people travel across the country.
In response, local governments have been instructed to increase safety inspections and tighten regulations around tourist activities, particularly in popular destinations where large crowds gather during national breaks.
This latest boating disaster comes just two months after a similar incident in Hunan province, where a collision between a passenger boat and an industrial ship claimed 11 lives. The string of deadly accidents has sparked public outcry and renewed scrutiny of oversight in China’s growing tourism industry.
Further adding to the weekend’s tragedies, a sightseeing helicopter crashed in a newly opened park in the eastern city of Suzhou. One person died in that incident, and four others were injured.
As families mourn those lost in Guizhou, calls are growing for tougher safety protocols and better regulation to protect tourists from preventable disasters. For many, the holiday that was meant to bring joy and rest has now ended in grief.