On December 2, a boat capsizing accident occurred in Dongjiang County, Guizhou, resulting in the death of 8 people.
According to the Emergency Management Bureau of Southeast Guizhou, around 9:30 am on the 2nd, a wooden boat carrying 13 people capsized on the Pingzheng River, a branch of the Duoliu River in Dongjiang County, resulting in 8 fatalities and the rescue of the remaining 5 individuals.
Local villagers in the vicinity of the incident told reporters that the involved individuals were local villagers who were crossing the river to harvest medicinal herbs when the accident happened, with the boat owner being among the survivors.
A netizen identified as “Jiuchiliaokou” from Guizhou shared, “The one rowing the boat is from the village next to ours, he was collecting herbs, and the other ten-plus people were going to sell herbs to him; it’s a small boat, usually we only dare to bring 3 or 4 people, but he was too bold, bringing 12 people. He can swim himself if the boat overturned, but the other 12 couldn’t, and 4 were rescued while the other 8 did not make it.”
Another netizen “Shuinarenzhen” commented, “My sister-in-law’s husband saved 4 people, but 8 passed away.”
“Jiuchiliaokou” confirmed, “There was a person on this side of the river, he saw the capsized boat and rowed over to save 4 people, including himself, a total of 5 individuals survived. It might be because they were dressed warmly for winter and couldn’t swim, while the other 8 sank very quickly. I don’t know if the one who rescued them is indeed my sister-in-law’s husband.”
Some netizens questioned, “Why did the boat capsize? Was it due to strong winds or the boat itself not meeting safety standards?”
“Shuinarenzhen” responded, “It wasn’t due to strong winds, the boat was originally very small, only able to accommodate a maximum of 4 people, but they insisted on crowding in without knowing how to swim. Fortunately, my sister-in-law had good luck and wasn’t among them.”
Another netizen “Qiannanyou” expressed that the deceased were all relatives of theirs, and receiving the news was truly suffocating. Netizen “Yangniuhua-Financial Accountant” mentioned that both of their parents were also on the boat.
The tragic incident in Dongjiang County has deeply affected the local community, prompting discussions online about the importance of safety measures and adhering to the capacity limits of boats during water crossings. The loss of life in this preventable accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with water activities and the need for caution, especially when dealing with small vessels and unfamiliar waters. The heartfelt accounts from witnesses and individuals connected to the victims highlight the emotional toll and grief experienced by those impacted by the tragedy. Such incidents underscore the significance of promoting safety awareness and responsible behavior to prevent similar accidents in the future.