The death toll from the catastrophic bridge collapse in Shaanxi province, northwest China, has risen to 12, with 31 people still missing as of Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred on Friday, July 19, at approximately 8:40 pm local time, when a highway bridge in Zhashui County, Shangluo city, succumbed to the pressures of sudden heavy rainfall and flash flooding.According to China’s official Xinhua News Agency, the collapse caused multiple vehicles to plunge into the Jinqian River below. Initial investigations indicate that 25 vehicles, including 17 cars and 8 trucks, fell into the river. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly since the incident, managing to recover seven vehicles from the water by Saturday afternoon.The Chinese government has mobilized significant resources for the rescue operation. Over 700 professional rescuers and 1,500 local residents are continuing to search for the missing, utilizing 90 rescue vehicles, 20 boats, and 40 drones. The water level has decreased to 130 cubic meters per second, and has dropped more than three meters since the bridge collapsed, making conditions more favorable for search and rescue operations.Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for ‘all-out’ rescue efforts, urging authorities to spare no effort in rescue and assistance operations to save lives and properties, as well as support for the families of the victims.This tragic event comes amid a week of severe weather conditions across large parts of northern and central China. In the neighboring Henan province, over 100,000 people have been evacuated from their homes due to floods.The collapse has reignited concerns about infrastructure quality and safety standards in China, particularly in western and southwestern regions prone to floods and landslides. It follows a series of recent disasters in China, including a train derailment and a chemical plant explosion, raising questions about the country’s rapid development and safety oversight.
Key points
- The death toll from the Shaanxi bridge collapse has risen to 12, with 31 people still missing.
- The collapse was caused by sudden heavy rainfall and flash flooding, affecting 25 vehicles.
- A massive rescue operation is underway, involving over 700 professional rescuers and 1,500 local residents.
- The incident has reignited concerns about infrastructure safety in China, especially in flood-prone regions.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported numbers of vehicles involved, with some sources mentioning 20 vehicles while others report 25 vehicles.
