Seventeen people died Saturday in southern China, when two traditional dragon boats sank in a river, according to a new report announced Sunday by the official agency China News.
The rowers were training for a race on the Taohua River, in the tourist town of Guilin, when their two boats rolled over, hurling 57 people into the water.
Forty rowers have been rescued alive by the rescue services, said China news. A previous report announced Saturday night had reported 11 dead.
According to the Guilin authorities, two training organizers were arrested because they had not previously reported the activity to the police.
Dragon boat races, long pirogues in which dozens of rowers can take place, are traditionally held throughout the country on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar.
This festival is dedicated to the memory of the poet Qu Yuan who, according to legend, committed suicide by drowning in the 3rd century BC, after being falsely accused of treason.
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