Seventeen people died after two dragon boats capsized in southern China. The boats were practising for a race on the Taohua River in the city of Guilin when 60 people were left fighting for their lives in the water.
One of the long, narrow boats packed with paddlers overturned on Saturday and Another dragon boat arrived at the scene, also full of paddlers, and it too capsized, the pictures showed.
Around 60 people fell into the water on a stretch of a river in the city of Guilin
Most of the people who dived into the river were not wearing life jackets, media reported.
Eight boats and more than 200 people had been deployed to rescue them.
Dragon boat racing is popular in various parts of Asia including China, and the Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional holiday in China, when races are held nationwide.
Authorities in Guilin said villagers had organised a race practice session without notifying police.
Two people have been arrested in relation to the accident.
> Shiluly Rina
Boat Capsize Caused Death of 17 People in China
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