Death toll rises to 9 after passenger ship overturns in Guizhou

The death toll has risen to nine, as of 11 am Sunday, after a passenger ship overturned in a river in southwest China's Guizhou province, according to local authorities.

The accident happened at 5 pm in Zangke River on Saturday in Liuzhi special region, Liupanshui city.

As of around 8 am on Sunday, rescuers managed to pull 39 passengers out of the water, local government said.

Eight people, however, died after they were rushed to the hospital. Seven remained missing, it added.

Guo Ruimin, Guizhou's vice-governor and head of public security department, arrived at the site to guide the ongoing rescue work soon after the accident occurred.