North China bridge collapse kills 12, missing nearly 60

BEIJING: A heavy rain-caused bridge collapse in northern China killed 12 and left over 60 missing on Saturday, officials said.

Shaanxi province’s Shangluo river bridge collapsed “due to a sudden downpour and flash floods” at 8:40 pm Friday (1240 GMT), according to Xinhua and the provincial public relations department.

The provincial committee of the ruling Chinese Communist Party reported 12 dead corpses and one rescue.

The collapse sent 17 cars and eight trucks into the Jinqian River below the bridge, initial investigations found.

Seven vehicles that fell into the overflowing river were rescued.

State-run Xinhua stated that 31 persons are missing and being searched for.