10 dead, 5 missing after overloaded river ferry overturns in Southwest China

   September 20, 2021 ,   Accidents

As many as 10 died and 5 are reported missing after a passenger ferryboat carrying 46 people capsized in bad weather on Saturday, September 18, in China's Guizhou Province.

The accident took place on the Zangke River in the Southwest region of the country.

As of 8:10 a.m. (local time) on Sunday, September 19, at least 39 people were rescued, with 31 in non-life-threatening conditions.

Authorities said that the vessel had been overloaded - it was designed to carry 40 people but they were still checking the exact number of travellers. The ferry, which was operated by Xiling Shipping, was sailing with at least 46 passengers.

Rescuers saved 31 people, 4 of whom were sent to the hospital.

The ferry was the main means of transport across the Zangke river for students from the port town of the same name in the Liuzhi district. Most of the travelers were thought to be students.

A probe into the accident and rescue operation is underway.