Society

Six swept away by surging tides in E China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-10 17:45

A high tide on the Qiantang River sends tourists darting around in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, Sept 25, 2010. [Photo/CFP]

HANGZHOU -- Six people are missing after the tide surged up over a levee and washed eight people into a river Sunday afternoon in Hangzhou city, east China's Zhejiang province, rescuers said.

Around eight people were walking along the levee when the surge swept them into the Qiantang River, said Zheng Bangqin, a firefigher with a district fire brigade.

As of 3 pm, two people had been rescued and six were still unaccounted for, including a child, he said.

Rescuers have evacuated people on or near the treacherous levee.

The levee on the Qiantang River mouth in Zhejiang province is well known for its huge tides, which have reached as high as 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) in the past.

Although dangerous, the peculiar phenomenon always attracts people.

In 2007, 11 died after being swept away when watching the tidal flow, while the worst tidal accident occurred in 1993, claiming 19 lives and leaving another 40 missing.