Three people were known to have died and 60 others were in hospital as of 10:30 pm on Sunday, with 14 more missing after two sightseeing boats capsized that afternoon in Qianxi city, Guizhou province, CCTV reported.

According to the provincial fire and rescue department, 83 divers and 16 underwater robots were deployed in the search for survivors.

An official statement said 248 rescue personnel, including the divers, and 24 vessels had been mobilized in the rescue operation.

The boats capsized during a heavy downpour, throwing more than 70 people into the water.