China Bridge Tragedy: 11 Killed, 20 Vehicles, Over 30 Missing

In a tragic incident reported by state broadcaster CCTV on July 20th, eleven individuals lost their lives and over 30 people are currently missing following the collapse of a bridge in northern China. The incident occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m. on July 19th (1240 GMT) in Shangluo, Shaanxi province. According to Xinhua, the collapse was attributed to a sudden downpour and flash floods, as stated by the provincial public relations department.

“Nearly 20 vehicles and more than 30 people” remained missing after the highway bridge collapsed into the river below,” CCTV said. “All 11 confirmed victims were found inside five vehicles that had so far been recovered from the water,” the broadcaster said.

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Devastating Flooding in Shaanxi Province

Images on state TV showed a partially submerged section of the bridge with the river rushing over it. Large portions of northern and central China have been battered since Tuesday by rains that have caused flooding and significant damage.

On July 19, state media reported that at least five people dead and eight missing after the rains sparked flooding and mudslides in Shaanxi’s Baoji city.

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Extreme weather in China

The semi-desert province of Gansu, which neighbours Shaanxi and Henan in central China, was also hit by heavy rains this week. In the Henan city of Nanyang, the equivalent of a year’s worth of rain poured at the start of the week, according to CCTV.

China is enduring a summer of extreme weather, with heavy rains across the east and south coming as much of the north has sweltered in successive heat waves.

In May, a highway in southern China collapsed after days of rain, leaving 48 dead. Earlier this month, a tornado passed through a town in eastern China killing one, injuring 79 and causing significant damage.