Vice-Premier emphasizes rescue efforts after bridge collapses in Shaanxi

China's Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing emphasized on Saturday that making every effort to search for and rescue missing persons was the top priority following the collapse of a highway bridge in Shangluo, Shaanxi province on Friday night.

Flash floods caused a partial collapse on one side of the bridge in Shangluo's Zhashui county.

It was initially estimated that 17 cars and eight trucks fell into the river as a result.

As of 3 pm on Saturday, rescue professionals had located seven vehicles, recovered 12 deceased individuals, and rescued one person. Efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining vehicles and estimated 31 missing individuals.

Zhang and relevant central department officials rushed to Shangluo on Saturday to oversee the rescue and handle work to stabilise the collapsed bridge.

Upon arrival at the bridge, he assessed the situation and discussed with relevant parties how to optimize the rescue process.

In a subsequent rescue and disposal deployment meeting, Zhang emphasized the need to further deploy water rescue teams and underwater rescue professionals, conduct systematic searches along the downstream river and both banks, and spare no effort to search for missing persons around the clock.

Efforts were also urged to closely monitor changes in river water levels, inspect surrounding safety hazards, and prevent secondary disasters.

Zhang required the involved departments to verify the condition of the vehicles that fell into the river and of the missing persons, ensuring that no one is overlooked. Zhang also comforted the families of the deceased and missing persons.

Additionally, Zhang asked for urgent repairs to be made to the damaged bridge to restore traffic flow as soon as possible and promptly identify the cause of the collapse.

The current period is critical for flood prevention, with heavy rainfall leading to a high risk of flash floods and geological disasters, he said, adding that all regions should thoroughly inspect the situation and take action along highways, railways, and other areas prone to risks.

Professional technical forces, along with advanced technology and equipment, should be mobilized for continuous inspection and risk prevention, he said.

For road sections significantly impacted by flash floods with high safety risks, Zhang noted that monitoring and early warning systems should be strengthened, along with prompt traffic control measures and traffic safety alerts during nighttime and heavy rainfall periods, to minimize casualties.