Authorities today suspended operations of all tour boats and ships in southwest China for a thorough safety inspection after a child was killed and 14 others went missing in a boat capsize incident.
The 40-seater leisure boat carrying 18 people capsized in Bailong Lake amid strong gales yesterday afternoon in Guangyuan City of Sichuan Province. Three survivors who were pulled from the lake remain under observation at a local hospital.
A 320-member rescue team, including frogmen, has been dispatched to the site. The search for the missing continues, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
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The boat 'Shuanglong' is owned by a local ship company, according to Lizhou District maritime department, where the accident occurred.
Blue Sky Rescue, a civilian group made up of outdoors experts, found the capsized boat today from a locating device and underwater cameras, however, there were no sign of life.
"The boat had sunk to a depth of 65.1 meters. Underwater robots will be sent to assist the salvage tomorrow," Li Xiang, a rescuer with Blue Sky Rescue, said.
