At least 17 persons were killed on Saturday after two dragon boats capsized in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the authorities confirmed.
The boats were practicing for a race in the Taohua River in the city of Guilin when the accident happened, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
According to the Television pictures a long, narrow boats packed with paddlers overturned where the current seemingly was strong. Another dragon boat arrived at the scene, also full of paddlers, and it capsized as well.
Almost 60 people were tipped into the water, the report added.
Eight boats and over 200 people had been deployed to the rescue.
Dragon boat racing is popular in various parts of Asia, and the Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional holiday in China, when races are held nationwide.
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