At least 11 people have died and over 30 are missing following the partial collapse of a highway bridge during heavy rains in northwest China. The incident occurred on Friday night in Shangluo city, Shaanxi province, where a bridge over a river gave way due to intense downpours and flash floods.
Rescue teams have managed to retrieve several vehicles that fell into the river, but recovery operations are ongoing.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a comprehensive search effort to locate those still unaccounted for. The fatalities were found in five cars recovered from the river, with an estimated 20 more vehicles believed to have plunged into the water.
Xinhua news agency released images and videos showing a partially submerged bridge with powerful river currents around it.
In response to the disaster, authorities have deployed 736 firefighters, 18 boats, and 32 drones to assist in the rescue operations. Earlier on Friday, flooding and mudslides in another part of Shaanxi province claimed the lives of at least five individuals.
Since Tuesday, northern and central China have experienced severe rains causing extensive flooding and damage. In Baoji city, Shaanxi, flooding and mudslides led to five deaths and eight people missing.
