Two dragon boats practicing for a race on a river in southern China have overturned, drowning 17 people, authorities said today.
The accident happened at about 1:30 PM yesterday when the dragon boats, 18 meters long and with a capacity of 30 passengers each, overturned during the practice session on Taohuajiang River in Guilin, the regional capital.
About 60 people fell into the water.
Seventeen people were killed after the boats overturned yesterday in southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the authorities said.
Eight boats and over 200 people were dispatched for the rescue.
Authorities in Guilin said villagers in Dunmu Village organised the practice session without notifying police beforehand. Two organisers have been detained, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
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