A fatal boat collision on China’s Yuanshui River, in the Hunan province, has resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals with five others still missing, as confirmed by local authorities.

The catastrophe occurred on the morning of February 25, 2025, involving a small passenger ferry and an oil spill response ship. Search and rescue operations began immediately with emergency teams looking for the unaccounted passengers.

The incident took place where the river is about 197 feet deep and approximately 1640 feet wide. The riverbed in this area is known for its strong currents and complex geological features, as informed by officials from the rescue headquarters on Friday.

The ferry, which was transporting local villagers across the river, was hit by the larger vessel. The impact threw 19 people into the river. Despite immediate rescue attempts, several passengers could not be saved. Eleven bodies have been retrieved, three survivors were rescued and taken for medical treatment, and the search for the remaining five continues with divers aiding in the effort.

One survivor was able to escape the sinking ferry by breaking a window with their foot, as reported by a family member who spoke to ThePaper.cn, a news outlet based in Shanghai.

The three crew members from the oil spill response vessel are currently under police investigation.

Over 500 rescue personnel were involved in the search and rescue operations. The sunken passenger vessel was raised, and the search for the missing passengers is ongoing, as reported by China’s state news agency, Xinhua.

Videos on Chinese social media platforms show emergency responders rescuing survivors and mourning families gathering by the river. A temporary crisis center has been established to aid the victims’ families. Local officials have assured a thorough investigation into the incident and pledged to hold the responsible parties accountable.

In recent years, China has worked to enhance its maritime safety regulations following numerous fatal accidents on its waterways. Despite these efforts, problems persist, particularly in rural areas where river transportation is common. The 2015 sinking of the cruise ship Eastern Star in the Yangtze River, which resulted in over 400 deaths, led to stricter regulations for passenger ferries and commercial vessels.

Officials have promised to intensify inspections on the Yuanshui River to prevent similar accidents. The Ministry of Transport is also reviewing safety procedures for oil spill response vessels due to the potential risks associated with operating these ships in busy waterways.

The search for the missing passengers persists amidst challenging conditions on the Yuanshui River. Rescue crews, equipped with sonar and diving gear, are dealing with tumultuous currents near the riverbed, making the underwater search efforts more difficult. The Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management has sent a special team to investigate the cause of the collision and to prevent similar incidents in the future.