At least, 11 people have died and dozens more missing following the partial collapse of a highway bridge in the northern Chinese Shaanxi province.
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| Highway bridge collapse after amid heavy storms and flooding in China. Photo: CNS/AFP via aljazeera.com |
The bridge collapse was due to heavy storms and flooding, as disclosed by authorities.
The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday 19 July, 2024 in the city of Shangluo.
All victims were recovered from five vehicles that fell off the bridge, “due to a sudden downpour and flash floods”, state news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday.
Rescue operations were still underway on Saturday as State broadcaster CCTV said nearly 20 vehicles and more than 30 people were missing after the highway bridge collapsed into the river below.
A witness narrated to local media, he had approached the bridge however, other drivers starting “yelling at me to brake and stop the car”.
“A truck in front of me didn’t stop” and fell into the water, the witness, named only as Meng, said.
According to State Media, Xi Jinping, President of China, urged “all-out rescue and relief efforts to safeguard people’s lives and property”.
Heavy rains bringing about flooding and massive damage have been hitting huge portions of northern and central China since Tuesday.
