GUANGZHOU - Seven people drowned in southern China on Sunday - six of them trying to rescue a relative who had fallen into a reservoir, it was reported.

The accident happened when a 17-year-old girl fell into the reservoir in Shantou city in Guangdong province when she was washing her hands, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the provincial emergency response office.

Her six relatives - including her parents, younger brother and younger sister - dived into the reservoir to save her. All seven people drowned, the office said.

The family had just finished sweeping tombs before the tragedy occurred.