A tragic boat collision in Hunan province’s Yuanshui River in China has led to the death of 11 individuals and left an additional five missing, according to authorities.
The incident transpired on the morning of February 25, 2025, and involved a smaller passenger ferry and an oil spill response vessel. Emergency teams initiated rescue operations, diligently searching for those still missing.
The section of the river where the accident took place has a water depth of over 197 feet and a width of 547 yards. The region’s geological features are complicated, with powerful currents near the riverbed, as mentioned by officials from the rescue headquarters on Friday.
The ferry, carrying local villagers, was hit by the larger vessel. Nineteen individuals were thrown into the water upon the collision, and despite immediate rescue operations, many of the passengers could not be saved. Officials reported 11 fatalities, three survivors who were transported to a nearby hospital, and five missing passengers. Divers were sent out to aid in the search for the missing.
One survivor managed to escape the sinking ferry by breaking a window with their foot, as reported by a family member who spoke to ThePaper.cn, a Shanghai-based news outlet.
The three crew members from the oil spill response vessel are currently under police investigation.
Over 500 rescue workers have been involved in the extensive search and rescue operations. The sunken passenger vessel was lifted and brought to surface while the search for the missing passengers continued, as reported by China’s state news agency, Xinhua.
Videos making rounds on Chinese social media show emergency responders pulling survivors from the water and mourning families gathered near the riverbanks. A temporary crisis center has been established by authorities to assist the victims’ relatives, with local officials committing to a comprehensive investigation and accountability for those responsible.
In the wake of several fatal waterway accidents, China has been making strides to enhance its maritime safety regulations. Nevertheless, cases involving overcrowded or poorly maintained vessels remain worrisome, especially in rural regions where river travel is a common mode of transportation. A particularly devastating incident in 2015, the sinking of the cruise ship Eastern Star in the Yangtze River, claimed over 400 lives and led to stricter supervision of passenger ferries and commercial vessels.
Officials have pledged to augment inspections of vessels sailing on the Yuanshui River to prevent future accidents. The Ministry of Transport also plans to review safety procedures for oil spill response vessels, acknowledging the potential risks these ships pose in busy waterways.
The search for the five missing passengers continues under challenging conditions on the Yuanshui River. Rescue teams, equipped with sonar and diving equipment, are dealing with strong currents near the riverbed, which complicates the underwater search operations. The Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management has dispatched a special team to investigate the cause of the incident and to prevent similar future occurrences.
