Three dead and 14 missing after two boats capsize during sudden storm in China

Three people are dead and 14 more are missing after two boats carrying roughly 70 people capsized in a river in China.

Two ships went under after sudden rain, a hail storm and strong winds hit the Wu River in the southwestern Guizhou province on Sunday afternoon.

Fifty people, including passengers and crew, were dragged to safety by rescue teams.

Twenty people were believed to be missing, but China’s state-run CGTN news reported three have been killed in the tragedy, while another 14 are unaccounted for.

248 firefighters, 16 underwater robots, and 24 boats were all dispatched to the river, according to Guizhou Provincial Fire Rescue Corps.

A number of people in the river also managed to swim to safety, according to eyewitnesses speaking to state-backed Beijing News.

The disaster unfolded at the scenic spot as tourists were out celebrating a five day public holiday in China for May Day, from May 1 to May 5.

Video footage captured by onlookers shows the underside of one of the capsized ships.

A man can also be seen performing CPR on another person lying on the boat.

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