BEIJING: Chinese authorities say eight people remain missing and 10 are confirmed dead in a pair of recent boating disasters.

The most recent incident occurred Thursday when a dragon boat taking part in a traditional festival race in the eastern province of Fujian capsized on the famed Minjiang river with 36 people onboard. All but three have been rescued.

Divers meanwhile retrieved the bodies of six people from Bailong lake in Sichuan province, bringing the death toll in that June 4 accident to 10 with five still missing. The capsizing of the tourist pleasure boat with 18 people on board was blamed on a sudden storm that stirred up unusually large waves.