At around 10 a.m. on 25th February, a collision occurred between an oil waste recovery vessel (named *Huai Lvshui 1*) and a passenger boat (*Xiang Yuanling Passenger 0301*) in the Yuan River, Gaoping section, Yuanling County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province, causing the passenger boat to capsize and sink.

According to on-site reports, no one from the oil waste recovery vessel fell into the water, whereas all 19 people on board the passenger boat ended up in the river.

Government authorities have dispatched over 60 personnel and more than 10 vessels to carry out a full-scale rescue operation. As of now, five people have been rescued and brought ashore—tragically, two were found deceased, while three were rescued and taken to hospital, where their condition is stable and they are not in any immediate danger. The search for the remaining passengers is still ongoing.

The exact cause of the accident has yet to be determined and remains under investigation.