ISTANBUL

At least three people were killed and 14 others are missing after two tourist boats capsized in southwest Guizhou Province on Sunday, Xinhua News reported, citing local authorities.

Sixty people were hospitalized after being rescued from two overturned vessels in Qianxi City's Liuchong River.

Following the incident, Chinese President Xi Jinping directed maximum efforts to rescue those who fell into the water and provide medical care to those who are injured, said the media outlet.

According to reports, a total of 77 people were aboard the two vessels.

May Day holidays in China, which began on May 1 and will end on May 5, prompted a significant increase in domestic travel, with many tourist destinations experiencing heavy crowds, according to data from the Chinese government reported by Global Times.