A catastrophic bridge collapse in Shaanxi province, northwest China, has resulted in at least 11 confirmed deaths and over 30 people missing as of Saturday morning. The incident occurred on Friday, July 19, at approximately 8:40 pm local time, when a highway bridge in Zhashui County succumbed to the pressures of sudden heavy rainfall and flash flooding.According to China’s official news agency Xinhua, the collapse caused multiple vehicles to plunge into the Jinqian River below. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly since the incident, managing to recover five vehicles from the water by Saturday morning. However, the search continues for an estimated 20 additional vehicles and 30 people still unaccounted for.This tragic event comes amid a week of severe weather conditions across large parts of northern and central China. The collapse has reignited concerns about infrastructure quality and safety standards in the country, particularly in western and southwestern regions prone to floods and landslides due to their mountainous terrain and fast-flowing rivers.The incident bears similarities to a highway collapse near Meizhou in southern China this past May, which resulted in 48 fatalities. As rescue efforts continue in Zhashui County, authorities are facing increasing pressure to address what some see as a pattern of deadly industrial accidents stemming from rapid economic growth and inadequate safety supervision.
Key points
- A highway bridge in Shaanxi province, China, collapsed due to heavy rainfall and flash flooding, resulting in at least 11 deaths.
- Over 30 people are still missing, with rescue operations ongoing.
- The incident has raised concerns about infrastructure quality and safety standards in China, particularly in flood-prone regions.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of missing people, with some sources citing ‘dozens’ while others specify ‘over 30’.
👾The exact time of the collapse varies slightly between reports, with some stating 8:40 pm and others reporting 20:40.
