CHONGQING - A restaurant boat carrying more than 10 people, according to witnesses, was overturned by floodwaters Tuesday in a section of the Jialing River in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality.

At around 4 pm, the boat, which berthed along the river near the Yu'ao Bridge, was washed away by floodwaters and later sank, several witnesses told Xinhua.

More than 10 people were on the three-story restaurant boat when the accident occurred, witnesses said.

A witness surnamed Yao said he saw several people briefly struggle in the water before disappearing.

Due to continuous downpours, the water level in the Jialing River had risen by 14 meters within 24 hours.

On Tuesday morning, local maritime authorities rescued two vessels that lost control in the river's roaring waves. No casualties were reported.