12 Dead, Over 30 Missing After China Bridge Collapse (Update)

A bridge collapse caused by torrential rains in northern China killed 12 people and left more than 30 missing, state media said Saturday.

The bridge over a river in Shaanxi province’s Shangluo collapsed at around 8:40 pm Friday (1240 GMT) “due to a sudden downpour and flash floods,” official news agency Xinhua said, citing the provincial public relations department.

“Nearly 20 vehicles and more than 30 people” remained missing after the highway bridge collapsed into the river below, CCTV said.

All 12 confirmed victims were found inside five vehicles that had so far been recovered from the water, the broadcaster said. Images on state TV showed a partially submerged section of the bridge with the river rushing over it.

Large portions of northern and central China have been battered since Tuesday by rains that have caused flooding and significant damage. On Friday, state media reported at least five people dead and eight missing after the rains sparked flooding and mudslides in Shaanxi’s Baoji city.