State media: Twelve dead after bridge collapse following heavy rainfalls in China
Shangluo is located approximately 900 kilometers southwest of Beijing. According to Xinhua's current investigation, 17 cars and eight trucks fell into the river below after the collapse of the bridge.
A witness told local media that he had approached the bridge, but other drivers had shouted at him, "I should brake." A truck in front of him did not stop and plunged into the river. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for comprehensive "rescue and relief efforts" through Xinhua to find the missing persons.
Xinhua also reported on heavy rainstorms in the southwestern province of Sichuan, which caused flooding in the city of Ya'an on Friday night. According to reports, eight bodies were recovered by Saturday evening. Over 30 people are still missing.
Chinese state media reported on Friday that there were at least five deaths and eight missing due to flooding and landslides in the city of Baoji in Shaanxi Province. In Sichuan, at least two people died in similar weather conditions on Friday.
China is experiencing an extreme summer this year: While it has been raining heavily and causing flooding in the east and south for several weeks, the northern part of the country has been hit by several heatwaves. According to researchers, the strength and frequency of extreme weather events are increasing due to human-induced climate change. China is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming.
- The Autobahn bridge in Shangluo, located approximately 900 kilometers southwest of Beijing, collapsed due to the heavy rainfalls, resulting in 17 cars and eight trucks falling into the river below.
- Xinhua, the state media, reported the incident on the Autobahn bridge and also mentioned the severe rainfall that caused a bridge collapse in Sichuan.
- The collapse of the Autobahn bridge has led to calls for immediate rescue and relief efforts from Chinese President Xi Jinping, as reported by Xinhua.
- In addition to the Autobahn bridge collapse, Sichuan province has been experiencing heavy rainstorms that led to flooding in Ya'an, causing the death of at least eight people and leaving over 30 missing.
- The flooding in Ya'an is not an isolated incident in Sichuan, as at least two people also died in similar weather conditions, as reported by Xinhua.
- Similarly, in the Shaanxi Province, Chinese state media reported at least five deaths and eight missing due to flooding and landslides.
- The extreme summer in China this year has seen heavy rainfalls causing flooding in the east and south for several weeks, while the northern part of the country has been hit by several heatwaves.
- Bags and essential items are being distributed to those affected by the floods in Sichuan, according to Xinhua, as the Chinese government continues its efforts to provide aid and relief to the affected regions.
