Ferry capsizing leaves two dead in China's Hunan province

Two people were killed after a ferry capsized in bad weather in Hunan province in southern China on Saturday, July 5.

The ferry Xiangzi Xingke No 136 was underway on Dongjiang Lake when it encountered strong winds near the city of Zixing at around 16:30 local time on Saturday.

The vessel overturned shortly afterwards and all 29 people who were on board ended up in the water.

The provincial government as well agencies in Chenzhou and Zixing subsequently deployed rescue teams to the area to render assistance.

Twenty-seven of the ferry's passengers and crew were rescued without serious injury while one person was pronounced dead shortly after being recovered from the water.

Officials said another individual was already deceased upon being found on the afternoon of the following day.

Reports stated that Xiangzi Xingke No 136, which has a maximum capacity of 40 passengers, had passed a seaworthiness inspection on June 20, 2025, a little over two weeks before the incident occurred.