Search and rescue carried out after bridge collapses in Shaanxi

Over 700 professionals from emergency management, public security, fire services, health, transportation and armed police, as well as more than 1,500 town and village cadres and residents, have been mobilized to participate in the search and rescue operations following the collapse of a highway bridge in Shangluo, Shaanxi province, according to local authorities.

A bridge collapses in Zhashui County in Shangluo City, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 20, 2024. (Photo/China News Service)

These individuals have been divided into different groups to carry out search and rescue operations in 10 working sections along the downstream area of the Jinqian River in Zhashui county of Shangluo. Simultaneously, efforts have been initiated to contact and console the families of those affected, said Jia Yong'an, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Shangluo Committee.

On Friday, heavy rainfall lasting over 10 hours in the upstream area of the Jinqian River in Zhashui county resulted in flash floods and a rapid rise in water levels around 8:40 pm, leading to a partial collapse on one side of a bridge in the county. It is preliminarily estimated that 17 cars and eight trucks fell into the river.

As of 3 pm on Saturday, rescue professionals have found seven vehicles, recovered 12 deceased individuals, and rescued one person. Jia said during a news conference on Saturday afternoon that efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining 18 vehicles and 31 individuals. 

Experts from the transportation and water resource sectors have also been deployed to conduct on-site safety assessments in the affected area. Comprehensive control measures have been implemented on the bridge involved in the accident, delineating safe and dangerous zones, and taking precautions to prevent secondary disasters, he added.

Moreover, authorities have intensified monitoring, forecasting, and early warning systems for meteorological, hydrological, and geological conditions in the affected area to provide robust support for on-site rescue operations.