Four drown after Guangdong river overflows

Four people drowned in the Daye River in Haicheng township of Shanwei, Guangdong province on Tuesday afternoon.

A video posted online showed many people swimming or playing in the river, when it suddenly flooded.

All people stranded in the river by Lianhua Hill were rescued but four individuals had drowned, according to a statement issued by the township government on Thursday.

Despite the fact swimming in the river was prohibited, people had removed the lock that restricted access to the river, Yu Xiaojie, deputy chief of the township, told Beijing News.

A witness noticed the water in the river was rising and turning yellow, which prompted him to go ashore. Along with local workers, they tried to warn people to leave. However, some ignored the warning.

The local government had informed people of disastrous weather conditions like heavy rain and high temperatures this season and urged people to stay away from places not open to leisure seekers.