The accident happened at 4:50 p.m. on Saturday in Zangke River in Zangke Township in the city of Liupanshui.

As of 8:10 a.m. Sunday, 39 people were rescued from the river, with 31 in non-life-threatening conditions, and eight died after being rescued.

The ship was designed to carry up to 40 people. Authorities are still checking the exact number of onboard passengers.

A rescue operation and an investigation into the cause of the accident are both underway.