Death toll rises to 10 in southwest China boat accident

Ten people have been confirmed dead and eight others remained unaccounted for as of 2pm Friday after a boat capsized on a river in southwest China's Guizhou Province Thursday afternoon, according to local authorities.

A total of 11 people have been rescued. The owner of the boat, who is among the survivors, has been held by police. All the injured have been sent to the hospital for treatment.

Rescuers composed of police, emergency response officers, people from the transport and health departments in Bouyei-Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Qianxinan are searching for the missing, and trying to lift up the capsized boat.

The vessel had 29 people on board when it capsized at 6:30pm Thursday on the Beipan River. Investigation into the cause of the accident continues.