THE national work safety watchdog yesterday demanded an investigation into the capsizing of a boat in Sichuan Province, in which a child died and 14 people remain missing.

    A work team will be sent to the accident site, the State Administration of Work Safety said on its website.

    A 320-member rescue team, including frogmen, were searching for the missing.

    As of yesterday noon, Blue Sky Rescue, a civilian group made up of outdoor experts, found the capsized boat thanks to a locating device and underwater cameras, however, there were no sign of life.

    Li Xiang, a rescuer with Blue Sky Rescue, said the boat had sunk to a depth of 65.1 meters. Underwater robots will be sent to assist the salvage today.

    The 40-seat leisure boat, “Shuanglong,” was carrying 18 people when it capsized during strong winds on Bailong Lake, a manmade lake that translates as “White Dragon” and has an area of more than 60 square kilometers, in the city of Guangyuan on Saturday afternoon. The lake is surrounded by mountains and a tourist attraction.

    Three survivors remain under observation at a local hospital.

    The child was pulled out from the water and given emergency treatment, but died at a hospital.

    Authorities said strong gales were to blame for the accident. An investigation has been launched.

    Operations of all tour boats and ships in Guangyuan were suspended for a safety inspection yesterday.

    The administration also called on local authorities in Sichuan to launch water transport safety inspections, improve the management of sightseeing boats, remove possible dangers and prevent major accidents.

    (Xinhua)

    It was the second deadly accident in tourist spots across China in one week.

    On May 28, eight tourists died while rafting on a river hat surged with a flash flood at a scenic spot in Jiangmen City in Guangdong Province.

    An investigation is going on into why the tourists were allowed to go rafting despite a weather warning.

    (Xinhua)