A family outing turned into tragedy after a 19-month-old boy drowned when an inflatable boat carrying him, his father and an older sibling capsized in a fast-flowing stream at a popular tourist destination in China’s Guangdong Province.
The incident happened at around 5pm on 18 July at Ximei Village in Chaozhou’s Chao’an District, where the scenic Phoenix Stream is a well-known attraction often referred to as the “Little Guilin of Chaozhou”. The area is popular with families for its riverside camping sites and recreational activities.
According to Chinese media reports, the father had rented a yellow duck-shaped inflatable boat from a nearby vendor before taking his two children, aged about four years old and 19 months, onto the stream.
As the family approached a section of the river with stronger currents, the inflatable boat suddenly capsized, throwing both children into the water.
Safety personnel stationed nearby managed to rescue the older child, but the 19-month-old toddler was swept away by the powerful current before rescuers could reach him.
A local shop owner said villagers, business owners and rescue personnel immediately launched a search after hearing cries for help.
Rescuers reportedly formed a human chain and used bamboo poles to search beneath the water. However, the complex terrain downstream made the operation difficult, and the child could not be located despite hours of searching.
At around 8pm the following day, rescue teams recovered the toddler’s body downstream.
Local authorities confirmed the child’s death and said they are assisting the grieving family with funeral arrangements.
Officials also stated that anti-drowning warning signs had been installed around the area and urged the public not to spread false information after rumours circulated online claiming the child’s mother had ignored safety warnings.
Authorities clarified that the allegations were false and appealed to internet users to stop spreading misinformation, saying such rumours only added to the family’s grief following the heartbreaking loss of their son.
