At least 11 dead, dozens missing after a highway bridge in China collapses after heavy storms
The official Xinhua News Agency said five vehicles that fell off the bridge have been recovered after the structure in Shaanxi province crumbled on Friday.
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Chinese officials have reported at least 11 fatalities and 30 individuals missing following the partial collapse of a highway bridge in the country's northwest, triggered by severe storms and flooding. In the southwest, a similar number of people are unaccounted for after storms destroyed numerous homes.
The official Xinhua News Agency indicated that five vehicles that had fallen from the bridge were recovered after the structure in Shaanxi province collapsed around 8:40 p.m. local time on Friday. A released image from Xinhua depicted a section of the bridge bent down at nearly a 90-degree angle into the tumultuous brown waters below.
Rescue efforts were ongoing Saturday in Zhashui County, where around 20 vehicles and 30 people are still missing. In nearby Sichuan province, an estimated 30 people are also unaccounted for, and approximately 40 houses have been damaged due to severe flooding and storms, according to Xinhua. The agency reported that the hardest-hit areas in Hanyuan County suffered from damaged or disrupted roads, bridges, and communication networks, as rescue teams have been working since dawn to restore vital transport links.
Over recent decades, China's economic boom led to the development of an extensive infrastructure network, including highways, high-speed rail, and airports, which has further driven growth. However, a downturn in this economic expansion, coupled with substandard infrastructure, lax safety oversight, and cost-cutting measures by industries, has resulted in a troubling frequency of deadly incidents.
China's western and southwestern regions are particularly vulnerable to flooding and landslides due to their rugged terrain and the powerful rivers flowing through them. Activities such as mining, tourism, and increasing urbanization have disrupted a delicate ecological balance that had been maintained for millennia.
Shaanxi is renowned as a cradle of Chinese civilization, being the birthplace of the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. His legacy includes the world-famous Terracotta Army, which lies outside the capital city of Xi'an, attracting millions of visitors each year.
The official Xinhua News Agency indicated that five vehicles that had fallen from the bridge were recovered after the structure in Shaanxi province collapsed around 8:40 p.m. local time on Friday. A released image from Xinhua depicted a section of the bridge bent down at nearly a 90-degree angle into the tumultuous brown waters below.
Rescue efforts were ongoing Saturday in Zhashui County, where around 20 vehicles and 30 people are still missing. In nearby Sichuan province, an estimated 30 people are also unaccounted for, and approximately 40 houses have been damaged due to severe flooding and storms, according to Xinhua. The agency reported that the hardest-hit areas in Hanyuan County suffered from damaged or disrupted roads, bridges, and communication networks, as rescue teams have been working since dawn to restore vital transport links.
Over recent decades, China's economic boom led to the development of an extensive infrastructure network, including highways, high-speed rail, and airports, which has further driven growth. However, a downturn in this economic expansion, coupled with substandard infrastructure, lax safety oversight, and cost-cutting measures by industries, has resulted in a troubling frequency of deadly incidents.
China's western and southwestern regions are particularly vulnerable to flooding and landslides due to their rugged terrain and the powerful rivers flowing through them. Activities such as mining, tourism, and increasing urbanization have disrupted a delicate ecological balance that had been maintained for millennia.
Shaanxi is renowned as a cradle of Chinese civilization, being the birthplace of the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. His legacy includes the world-famous Terracotta Army, which lies outside the capital city of Xi'an, attracting millions of visitors each year.