Chinese authorities say a ferry carrying students on a holiday trip has capsized in central China, leaving 11 people dead and at least three missing.

Local officials told the state-run Xinhua news agency that nine students and two adults drowned Friday afternoon when the ferry, carrying mostly students, capsized in the Fuyi River in Hunan Province, about 250 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital, Changsha.

Xinhua said there were around 45 people on board the vessel, which capsized and sank after it was blocked by iron cables used for dredging. Sixteen people were injured and 13 were not harmed.

Police say they detained the two owners of the ferry, while authorities investigate the sinking.