China's Yunnan releases investigation report on fatal pleasure boat capsizing

KUNMING -- The emergency management department of Southwest China's Yunnan province on Monday released an investigation report on a fatal pleasure boat capsizing in Chuxiong city.

The report identified the incident as a production safety accident. The accident occurred on Feb 17, 2026, when a pleasure boat carrying 26 people, including the driver, capsized while returning to the dock and preparing to reverse into berth. Everyone aboard the boat fell into the water and four tourists died.

The report concluded that the boat was illegally assembled, modified with technical defects, and was operated in violation of official rules. The company, Chuxiong Chuyuanxiang Agricultural Development Co Ltd, had not trained the boat driver and did not require passengers to wear life jackets.

The investigation team recommended transferring two individuals, including the company's deputy general manager and the boat project manager, to judicial authorities for criminal liability, and handing 17 public officials to discipline inspection and supervision authorities for accountability. It also recommended administrative penalties against the company's legal representative.