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The beach where the accident occurred was a popular spot for taking social media photos. Photo: Weibo

2 dead, 7 missing in China after drowning accident near Sanmenxia Dam

  • Swimmers swept away after water levels surge near popular beach on the Yellow River, according to media reports
  • Emergency bureau says rescue efforts and investigation are under way
Two people are dead and seven missing after a drowning accident near Sanmenxia Dam in central China on Sunday, local authorities said.

As of 7am on Monday, eight people had been rescued downstream of the Sanmenxia Reservoir, with two in hospital and six in good condition, according to a statement by the Sanmenxia emergency management bureau on Monday.

Rescue efforts were still under way and the situation was under investigation, the statement said.

Eight people have been rescued, with two in hospital and six in good condition, according to the local emergency bureau. Photo: Weibo
The accident happened on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, and local authorities reminded people to stay safe when travelling during the holidays.
Sanmenxia Reservoir is located on the middle reaches of the Yellow River, near Sanmenxia Gorge on the border between Shanxi and Henan provinces.
According to Chinese media reports, the accident occurred near a beach that was a popular photo spot on social media.

Red Star News reported the water at the spot suddenly surged, and people in the river were swept away.

01:36

Flash flood in in popular Chinese tourist spot kills 7, injures 8

Flash flood in in popular Chinese tourist spot kills 7, injures 8

A survivor named Qin Jialei told Red Star News that he walked to the middle of the river, about 1.5km (0.9 miles) downstream from the dam, at around 4.10pm on Sunday.

Five minutes later, the river started rising, surging around 1.8 metres in just six minutes until Qin was completely submerged, according to the report. Qin said he then swam to a beach around 50 metres (164 feet) away.

Videos on social media showed people trapped in the water.

A staff member of the Sanmenxia Water Conservancy Project Administration denied the change in water levels was caused by water release from the reservoir, saying they had followed regular dispatch and operation instructions from a higher-ranking department.

The report also said fences along the river had been destroyed and there was a sign near the site warning people not to go into the water.

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