Family of 7 in China drowns in deadly attempt to rescue girl

BEIJING — Seven members of a family on a holiday outing in southern China drowned when a 17-year-old girl fell into a reservoir and several relatives dove in after her in a deadly attempt to rescue her, officials said Monday.

The Guangdong province city of Shantou said in a statement that none of the relatives were strong swimmers but tried to rescue the girl nonetheless when she fell in while washing her hands Sunday. A city official, who gave only his surname, Wu, said the girl and six of her relatives died, including her parents and two other children, aged 13 and 15.

The girl fell into the reservoir while washing up after a grave-side ceremony honoring deceased relatives on China’s annual Tomb-Sweeping Day holiday.