2 dead, 3 missing after small boat capsizes in Southwest China

KUNMING -- Two people are dead and three others remain missing after a small privately-owned boat capsized Wednesday in Southwest China's Yunnan province, local authorities said Saturday.

The accident occurred on the Nanpan River in Huaning county around 6 pm Wednesday, when six people aboard the boat fell into the water. One was rescued, while five others went missing, according to the county government.

In response, local authorities mobilized more than 470 rescue personnel from emergency, fire and police departments, and coordinated with neighboring cities and prefectures to expand the search.

As of 8 am Saturday, two of the missing had been located and confirmed dead. The search for the other missing people is still underway.

Local authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.