Two people were killed after a passenger ship was rammed and sunk by a larger oil spill-cleaning vessel.

The incident happened in the Yuanshui River Basin in Qinglang Township, Yuanling County, Hunan Province, China, around 10 am on February 25.

CCTV footage shows the oil spill-cleaning vessel crashing into the passenger ship, causing it to sink.

Local media reported that 19 people on board fell into the water.

Five people were rescued and brought ashore, but two later died. The three remaining survivors were taken to hospital.

Authorities continued to search for other passengers in the water, with reports stating that 14 people were still missing.

The three crew members of the oil spill-cleaning vessel were arrested. Their ship was moored to the shore as authorities launched an investigation.

Ten rescue teams, comprising 212 personnel, were deployed to the scene.