At least 11 people dead and dozens missing after bridge collapses in China

China bridge collapse

The bridge collapsed due to heavy storms and flooding

Reuters
Dimitris Kouimtsidis

By Dimitris Kouimtsidis


Published: 20/07/2024

- 08:22

Updated: 20/07/2024

- 09:31

Around 30 people are still unaccounted for in the province of Shaanxi

At least 11 people have been confirmed dead and dozens others are missing after a bridge collapsed in China.

The tragic incident took place at around 8.40pm local time on Friday night in the province of Shaanxi.


Images on state TV showed a partially submerged section of the bridge in Shangluo with the river rushing over it, due to heavy storms and flooding.

China's state news agency said rescue operations were still underway on Saturday as round 30 people are still unaccounted for.

China bridge collapseThe bridge collapsed due to heavy storms and floodingReuters

Five vehicles that fell of the bridge during its collapse have so far been recovered, with all 11 victims found in those vehicles.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, with 859 personnel, 90 vehicles, 20 boats and 41 drones dispatched according to China's national fire and rescue authority.

One witness told local media that he had approached the bridge but that other drivers started "yelling at me to brake and stop the car".

"A truck in front of me didn't stop", the witness added.

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China bridge collapse

The bridge collapsed on Friday night

Reuters

President Xi Jinping has urged "all-out efforts" to find those still missing.

The East Asian country has been hit hard by heavy rain and flooding, causing significant damage.

Baoji city, also in the province of Shaanxi saw saw at least five people die and eight go missing due to flooding and mudslides.

Shaanxi's neighbouring province of Gansu was also battered by heavy rains.

China flooding

Baoji city, also in the province of Shaanxi saw saw at least five people die and eight go missing due to flooding and mudslides

Reuters

Meanwhile, Nanyang city in the province of Henan experienced the equivalent of a year's worth of rain at the start of the week.

And in the southwestern province of Sichuan, two people were reported killed and seven others are missing after heavy rain triggered landslides.

This all comes after a motorway collapsed in southern China in May after days of rain, killing 48 people.

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