Chinese authorities say 11 people have died after a highway bridge partially collapsed due to storms and floods in northwest China
TAIPEI, Taiwan – Chinese authorities said at least 11 people were killed when a highway bridge partially collapsed in its northwest region amid heavy storms and flooding.
The official Xinhua News Agency said the bridge collapsed in Shaanxi province around 8:40 pm on Friday and five vehicles that fell from the bridge had been fished out. A photo published by Xinhua News Agency showed part of the bridge breaking off and plunging at an almost 90-degree angle into the turbulent brown waters below.
It is said that rescue operations in Zhashui County of the province were still ongoing on Saturday, with about 20 vehicles and 30 people still missing.
As its economy has boomed in recent decades, China has built a vast network of highways, high-speed rail and airports, much of which has helped fuel further growth.
However, a sharp decline in economic growth, poor infrastructure quality, weak safety supervision and industries cutting corners to save money have led to endless fatal industrial accidents.
China's western and southwestern provinces are mountainous and have fast-flowing rivers, making them particularly prone to floods and landslides. Mining, tourism and growing urbanization have also disrupted millennia-old precarious balances with the natural environment.
Shaanxi is best known as one of the fulcrums of Chinese civilization. The first emperor Qin Shihuang was born here. He left the famous Terracotta Warriors as his legacy on the outskirts of the capital Xi'an. They are part of a huge complex of mausoleums that attract A large number of tourists come here every year.
