Hunan releases report on fatal ferry collision; four people arrested

The Hunan Provincial Emergency Management Department on Saturday released the investigation report on the "2·25" major water traffic accident in the Yuanshui River Basin in Huaihua, confirming that multiple rule violations led to the deadly collision that claimed 15 lives earlier this year.

Four people were arrested on suspicion of causing a major liability accident, according to the report.

The accident occurred at around 10 am on Feb 25, 2025, in Qinglang township, Yuanling county, when a garbage-collection vessel collided with a passenger boat. The passenger vessel sank immediately, throwing all 19 people onboard into the water. Three were rescued, 15 died, and one remains missing. Direct economic losses amounted to 21.61 million yuan (about $3 million), the report said.

The passenger boat was found to have illegally crossed the channel and failed to give way to a vessel traveling in the main navigation lane, making it the primary cause of the collision. The garbage-collection vessel bore secondary responsibility.

The report said that four people with direct responsibility in the incident have been arrested, including the owner of the passenger boat and the operator of another vessel.

The report added that defective materials that affected the performance of duties by local Party committee, government and relevant departments have been transferred to the provincial discipline inspection and supervisory authorities for further investigation.