AT least 10 people have died and 70 were hospitalised after four tourist boats capsized in China.

The vessels were buffeted by strong winds at about 4pm local time on Sunday as they sailed on a river in Qianxi city, in the country’s southwest Guizhou region.

The four boats overturned and some 84 people were thought to have fallen into the water.

Some 70 were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Only four who were rescued did not have to go to hospital.

Torch lights from the divers underwater searching through the overturned boats could be seen in the dark as rescuers desperately tried to find anyone trapped, drone footage showed.

An eyewitness told Beijing News that a storm arrived suddenly and thick mist cut visibility.

An initial investigation has found the boats were not overloaded with passengers.

The disaster occurred as China celebrated the end of its week-long May Day holiday, a busy period for travel.

Guizhou’s mountains and rivers are a major tourism draw, and many Chinese were travelling during the five-day national holiday that ended Monday.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged for “all-out efforts” in the search and rescue, state media said.

Xi also dispatched his Vice Premier, Zhang Guoqing, to the scene to oversee the rescue efforts.

China’s paramount leader Xi also “underscored the importance of strengthening safety measures in tourist attractions” and other large public venues.

The disaster comes just over two months after 11 people were killed in a boat collision in central China.

The accident in Hunan province occurred when a passenger boat struck an industrial vessel, throwing 19 people overboard.

At least 11 Chinese people were killed last year when a bus driver lost control and ploughed into a crowd.

The motor tragically killed five children and six parents in the crowd which had gathered outside a school in Tai’an city.