At least 11 people have died and more than 30 are missing after a highway bridge partially collapsed during torrential rains in northwest China. The bridge, located over a river in Shaanxi province’s Shangluo city, collapsed on Friday night due to a sudden downpour and flash floods, according to provincial authorities.
Rescue teams have recovered several vehicles that fell into the river, with efforts still ongoing to find more victims. Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged an “all out” effort to locate those still missing.
The 11 fatalities were found in five cars that were pulled from the river. State media reports that around 20 more vehicles are believed to have plunged into the water. Video and images from Xinhua news agency show a partially submerged section of the bridge with heavy river waters rushing around it.
Authorities have deployed 736 firefighters, 18 boats, and 32 drones to the scene, according to Xinhua.
On Friday, at least five people were killed in flooding and mudslides in another part of Shaanxi province. Large parts of northern and central China have been battered by heavy rains since Tuesday, causing flooding and significant damage. State media reported at least five people died and eight were missing after the rains triggered flooding and mudslides in Shaanxi’s Baoji city.