China's second domestically built large cruise ship, the Adora Flora City, officially began selling tickets for its maiden season's routes on Wednesday.
The ship is currently on its 12-day trial voyage starting on May 16. Upon completion of the trial voyage, it will gradually undergo final inspections and handovers to the owner.
The vessel is scheduled to be delivered on Nov 6 this year, after which it will begin its inaugural season from the Nansha International Cruise Home Port in Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province.
Its inaugural cruise season will run from Nov 22 this year to Jan 2, 2027, offering six international cruise voyages, including short, medium, and long journeys.
The Adora Flora City measures 341 meters in length and 37.2 meters in width, with a gross tonnage of 141,900. It features 2,130 deluxe rooms and suites, accommodating up to 5,232 guests.
As a sister ship to the Adora Magic City, China's first domestically built large cruise liner, which debuted in 2023, the new flagship features a series of design and construction upgrades.
China's second home-built large cruise ship starts ticket sales for maiden voyages
Continuous heavy rain in provinces including Guizhou and Hubei in the southwestern and central parts of the country has caused flooding and geological risks, prompting authorities to rapidly launch search and rescue operations to protect the lives and property of the flood-hit population.
In Changming Township, Guiding County of Guizhou, heavy rain led to water inundating the first floor of a house on Tuesday, and two elderly residents, who have limited mobility, were trapped on the second floor.
Search and rescue personnel waded into the house to put life jackets on the two seniors, and set up a ladder to successfully evacuate them to safety in around 15 minutes.
In Baishui River Village, Xuanen County, the Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Hubei Province, heavy rain caused the water level on the Bailushui River to surge on Tuesday, severely affecting surrounding areas. Road access along the river was disrupted.
Local authorities assembled search and rescue forces. The rescuers reached the site on foot after a three-hour trek to evacuate the trapped residents.
"Just within a few hours (after the disaster), the main search and rescue force arrived, and we finally felt relieved and saw hope," said Zhang Yuanzhong, a local villager.
As of the present, all trapped residents in Baishui River Village have been successfully evacuated and resettled. Ongoing emergency work includes searching for and locating missing people, clearing roads, and repairing damaged power supply systems.
Heavy rain hits multiple regions in China, search and rescue underway
