A flood in China’s southwest Sichuan province killed seven people on Wednesday, state media reported.

State broadcaster CCTV said seven people were killed and four others were rescued from the water, adding that “local public security, fire and other departments are continuing to carry out search and rescue efforts”.

The accident occurred at about 10 am near an embankment southwest of the provincial capital of Chengdu, where “more than 10” people were swept away by an unexpected tide of water, state media reported.

The victims, who were reportedly taking pictures when the torrent struck, were tourists visiting a popular local site.

A CCTV video was shared which depicted multiple individuals struggling to stay afloat in a strong current that was carrying them downstream. Onlookers on the water’s edge were seen shouting for assistance.

The cause of the deluge of water was not immediately clear.