At least 12 people have died and 31 others are missing after a bridge partially collapsed in China’s northern province of Shanxi, as reported by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The incident occurred in Zhashui County, Shangluo city, following recent heavy rains and flash flooding.
By 12 p.m. local time on Saturday (12 a.m. ET), search and rescue operations were still underway. Seventeen cars and eight trucks had plunged into the river when the bridge gave way, state media revealed.
China’s national fire and rescue authority announced Saturday that a rescue team consisting of nearly 900 personnel, 90 vehicles, 20 boats, and 41 drones had been deployed, according to Reuters. CCTV also reported that one person had been rescued.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for intensified rescue efforts, emphasizing the nation’s critical period for flood control. He urged local governments to take decisive action, Reuters cited local media.
Parts of China are dealing with severe floods, which come just weeks after a period of drought caused by scarce rainfall and extreme heat. In the neighboring Henan province, state media reported that over 100,000 people have been evacuated due to flooding.
In Sichuan province, more than 30 people are missing following flash floods in Hanyuan County early Saturday morning, according to CCTV. The local emergency management agency stated that the floods struck suddenly around 2:30 a.m. local time, damaging homes, roads, and bridges.
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