North China Bridge Collapse: 11 Dead, Over 30 Missing

Shangluo, Shaanxi Province – A tragic bridge collapse in northern China has resulted in 11 fatalities and left more than 30 individuals unaccounted for, according to state media reports on Saturday. The incident occurred amidst torrential rains that have been battering the region, leading to flash floods.

The bridge, spanning a river in Shangluo, Shaanxi Province, succumbed to the sudden downpour and flash floods at approximately 8:40 PM on Friday (1240 GMT), as reported by the state news agency Xinhua, citing the provincial public relations department.

State broadcaster CCTV reported that nearly 20 vehicles and more than 30 individuals remain missing after the highway bridge collapsed into the river below. All 11 confirmed victims were recovered from five vehicles that had been pulled from the water.

Images broadcast on state television depicted a partially submerged bridge section with the river coursing over it. A witness, identified by his surname Meng, recounted the chaos as he approached the bridge: “Other drivers started yelling at me to brake and stop the car.” Meng observed a truck ahead of him failing to stop and plunging into the river.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “all-out efforts” to locate the missing individuals, according to CCTV. Extensive rescue operations are ongoing as authorities strive to mitigate the disaster’s impact.

Widespread Flooding and Damage

Northern and central China have been subjected to relentless rainfall since Tuesday, causing extensive flooding and significant damage. Shaanxi Province has been particularly hard-hit, with state media reporting at least five deaths and eight individuals missing due to flooding and mudslides in Baoji city.

Television footage has shown entire neighborhoods submerged in muddy waters, with residents and excavators working to clear the debris.

Extreme Weather Patterns

The semi-desert province of Gansu, neighboring Shaanxi, and Henan Province in central China have also experienced severe rainfall this week. In Nanyang city, Henan, the rainfall volume was equivalent to a year’s worth within just a few days, according to CCTV reports.

Additionally, in southwestern Sichuan Province, heavy rains have triggered landslides, resulting in two deaths and seven missing individuals as of Friday, reported by Xinhua.

China is experiencing a summer marked by extreme weather conditions, with heavy rains affecting the east and south while much of the north faces successive heatwaves. 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, following days of rain, resulted in 48 fatalities. Earlier this month, a tornado struck a town in eastern China, causing one death, injuring 79, and inflicting substantial damage.

Conclusion

The devastating bridge collapse in Shaanxi Province highlights the urgent need for enhanced infrastructure resilience and effective emergency response mechanisms in the face of increasingly volatile weather patterns. The ongoing search and rescue efforts underscore the determination to save lives and support affected communities during this challenging time.

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For further updates, please refer to state media broadcasts and official announcements.