Report finds safety violations and negligence behind deadly fishing boat capsize off Dalian

The capsized fishing vessel in Liaoning province that led to eight deaths in October 2025 was a tragic accident caused by malpractice by the shipowner and captain and their disregard for safety requirements, according to an investigation report released on Sunday.

At approximately 1:30 am on Oct 18, 2025, the Liaosuiyu 35261 capsized in a fishing area off Dalian while returning to port, leaving eight people dead and two missing.

An investigation conducted by the Liaoning Provincial Emergency Management Department found that the shipowner and captain failed to fulfill their primary responsibilities for workplace safety.

According to the report, they failed to equip the vessel with the required number of crew members and carried more passengers than permitted. They also ignored meteorological warnings and failed to comply with recall orders or seek shelter in a timely manner, resulting in the vessel capsizing in strong winds during the return voyage.

The report said the direct cause of the accident was the shipowner's and captain's failure to seek shelter at a designated port within the required time frame. Instead, they chose to travel a longer distance to replace fishing nets and encountered strong winds and rough seas on the return trip.

The investigation also found that the vessel's contact person at its port of registration failed to promptly relay recall instructions. In addition, inadequate coordination and joint management between the vessel's registration port and docking port were identified as major contributing factors.

According to the report, the State Council's Work Safety Committee placed the case under its supervision and dispatched a guidance team to oversee the investigation throughout the process.

Meanwhile, judicial authorities have taken compulsory measures against the shipowner involved. The Liaoning Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision has also established a task force to oversee accountability efforts and, in accordance with laws and regulations, will hold 36 public officials accountable for their responsibilities in the accident.