More than 40 people died and missing in a bridge collapse in China

According to Xinhua News Agency, the bridge located in Tac Thuy district, Cang Le city, Shaanxi province collapsed at 8:40 p.m. on July 19 after heavy rain and flash floods.

Shaanxi provincial authorities said the bridge over the river in Tac Thuy district collapsed on the evening of July 19 "due to torrential rains and flash floods." CCTV footage showed part of the bridge collapsing into the murky water below.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an all-out rescue operation after a highway bridge collapsed in Tac Thuy county due to heavy rain and flooding, Sky News reported.

A car fell into a river after a bridge collapsed in Tac Thuy district, Cang Le city, Shaanxi province, northwest China. Photo: CCTV

Rescue operations are underway today (July 20) in Tac Thuy district. In addition to the 11 deaths, the bridge collapse also left about 20 cars and 30 people missing.

By 10am on July 20, rescuers had recovered five vehicles that had fallen into the river. Rescue operations are still underway.

Scene of the bridge collapse in Tac Thuy district, Cang Le city, Shaanxi province, northwest China. Photo: Xinhua

A photo released by Xinhua News Agency shows that part of the highway bridge has broken and fallen at a nearly 90-degree angle into the rushing water below.

China's National Fire and Rescue Administration said it had sent a rescue team to the scene consisting of 859 people, 90 vehicles, 20 boats and 41 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

In recent decades, Beijing has embarked on a massive economic project to build a network of highways, high-speed rail lines and airports. However, China's western and southwestern provinces are mountainous and have strong rivers, making them vulnerable to flooding during the rainy season.

KHANH LINH (t/h)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/hon-40-nguoi-chet-va-mat-tich-trong-vu-sap-cau-o-trung-quoc-204240720180640249.htm