At least 11 people are confirmed dead, and dozens more are missing following the dramatic collapse of a highway bridge in China, which was exacerbated by severe flooding.
The incident occurred in an area devastated by recent heavy rains, leading to a large-scale search and rescue operation.
Chinese media has released a striking image of the disaster, showing a section of the bridge bent nearly 90 degrees into the floodwaters below. The bridge’s collapse resulted in 20 vehicles and 30 people being reported missing.
In response to the catastrophe, authorities have deployed an extensive rescue team comprising 859 personnel, 90 vehicles, 20 boats, and 41 drones. The operation is focused on locating and assisting those affected by the collapse and the surrounding floodwaters.
China’s rapid economic development over recent decades has led to the constructing of a vast infrastructure network, including highways and railways. This incident underscores the potential vulnerabilities of such infrastructure amid increasingly severe weather events.
Sky News reports that rescue efforts are ongoing as teams work to address the crisis. The collapse has raised significant concerns about infrastructure safety and the impact of extreme weather conditions on critical infrastructure in the region.
