A tragic bridge collapse in northern China, caused by heavy rains, has resulted in the death of 11 individuals and more than 30 people remain unaccounted for, as reported by state media on Saturday.
The bridge located over a river in Shaanxi province’s Shangluo collapsed at approximately 8:40 pm on Friday (1240 GMT) “due to sudden downpour and flash floods,” according to the provincial public relations department as cited by state news agency Xinhua.
State broadcaster CCTV revealed that nearly 20 vehicles and over 30 individuals are still missing after the highway bridge collapsed, plunging into the river below.
All 11 confirmed fatalities were found inside five vehicles that have been retrieved from the water so far, as per the broadcaster.
Footage on state TV shows a section of the bridge partially submerged with the river gushing over it.
An eyewitness mentioned to local media that, upon approaching the bridge, other drivers began yelling for him to stop the car.
“A truck ahead of me did not stop and fell into the water,” stated the eyewitness, identified as Meng.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “all-out efforts” to locate the missing individuals, as per CCTV reports.
Significant parts of northern and central China have been severely affected by rains since Tuesday, resulting in flooding and extensive damage.
On Friday, state media disclosed at least five individuals dead and eight missing after the rains caused flooding and mudslides in Shaanxi’s Baoji city.
State television displayed images of neighborhoods completely flooded with muddy water, as excavators and residents worked to clear the aftermath.
– Extreme weather –
The semi-desert province of Gansu, adjacent to Shaanxi, and Henan in central China also experienced heavy rains this week.
In Henan’s Nanyang city, the equivalent of a year’s worth of rain poured at the beginning of the week, as per CCTV reports.
In southwestern Sichuan province, two individuals were reported deceased and seven missing on Friday following landslides triggered by heavy rain, as reported by Xinhua.
China is facing a summer characterized by extreme weather, with heavy rains in the east and south alongside severe heat waves in the north.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events to climate change, exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions.
In May, a highway collapse in southern China resulted in 48 fatalities after continuous rainfalls.
Earlier this month, a tornado swept through a town in eastern China, causing one fatality, 79 injuries, and substantial damage.
sbr-oho/cwl
