China Bridge Collapse Kills 12, Four Missing
Tragic collapse of railway bridge shocks Qinghai province.
A catastrophic collapse of an under-construction railway bridge spanning the Yellow River in northwest China’s Qinghai province has claimed the lives of at least 12 construction workers, with four others still missing, according to state media reports. The incident, which occurred around 3 a.m. on Friday, has sent shockwaves through the region, prompting an urgent search and rescue operation.
The 1.6-kilometer-long bridge, featuring a striking aquamarine arch, suffered a severe structural failure when a steel cable snapped during a tensioning operation, causing a large section of the bridge deck to plummet 55 meters into the turbulent waters of the Yellow River below. Aerial images from Xinhua News Agency reveal a mangled section of the bridge hanging precariously, underscoring the scale of the disaster.
At the time of the collapse, 16 workers were on the bridge, engaged in critical construction work. Rescue efforts are underway, with boats, a helicopter, and advanced robotic systems deployed to locate the missing workers. The challenging conditions of the Yellow River, combined with the height of the fall, have complicated the search, leaving authorities and families anxiously awaiting updates.
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The bridge, a key infrastructure project intended to enhance railway connectivity in Qinghai, was still in the construction phase, raising questions about safety protocols and structural integrity. The China Daily reported that the bridge’s design placed its deck 55 meters above the river, making it a significant engineering feat. However, the sudden failure has sparked concerns about oversight and the pressures of rapid infrastructure development in China.
Local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the cable failure, with preliminary reports pointing to potential issues during the tensioning process. The tragedy has drawn widespread attention, with social media platforms buzzing with images and videos of the collapsed structure, amplifying calls for accountability.
This disaster adds to a series of infrastructure-related incidents in China, fueling public debate about construction standards and worker safety. As rescue operations continue, the nation mourns the loss of the workers and hopes for the safe recovery of those still unaccounted for. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those building the country’s ambitious infrastructure projects.
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