At least 15 deaths from collapse of Chinese highway bridge
In China, flood-like rain disasters caused chaos and destruction in several regions over the weekend. At least 15 people have died after a highway bridge collapsed in the northwestern province of Shaanxi, according to the official Xinhua news agency. The bridge, which was 40 meters long, had already had a 40-meter section torn away by a landslide on Friday evening.
At least 20 cars reportedly plunged into a river as a result of the bridge collapse. Several people are still reported missing. Both China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang have ordered comprehensive rescue efforts, according to state media.
Additionally, eight people lost their lives in flooding in the southwestern part of the country on Saturday. In the flooded city of Ya'an in the province of Sichuan, over 30 people are still missing. Over 400 personnel are involved in the ongoing rescue efforts.
Floods are common in China during the summer months. In 2021, over 300 people lost their lives in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou during the heaviest rainfall ever recorded. The tragedy sparked a public debate about China's changing climate.
The Autobahn bridge collapse in Shaanxi has led to at least 15 confirmed fatalities and numerous missing individuals, with reports suggesting at least 20 cars plunging into the river. The weather in China has been particularly harsh, with flood-like rain disasters causing widespread chaos and destruction. Other regions, such as the southwestern part of the country, have also experienced flooding, resulting in additional losses, with eight people reported dead in Saturday's incidents.
