Tragedy struck in China's northern province of Shanxi as a bridge in Zhashui County, located in the city of Shangluo, partially collapsed on Friday evening. The incident, attributed to recent rains and flash flooding, resulted in the loss of at least 12 lives, with 31 individuals still unaccounted for.
Reports indicate that 17 cars and 8 trucks plunged into the river below when a section of the bridge gave way. Search and rescue operations were swiftly initiated, with a massive effort involving nearly 900 personnel, 90 vehicles, 20 boats, and 41 drones deployed by China's national fire and rescue authority.
Despite the grim situation, there was a glimmer of hope as one person was successfully rescued from the disaster site. Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged for comprehensive rescue measures to be taken, emphasizing the critical need for flood control in the country.
Unfortunately, this incident is not an isolated one, as various regions in China have been grappling with severe flooding. In Henan province, over 100,000 individuals have been evacuated from their homes due to the rising waters, underscoring the widespread impact of the floods.
Further adding to the toll, the southwestern Sichuan province also faced a tragic event when flash floods struck a village in Hanyuan County. More than 30 people are currently missing following the sudden deluge that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, causing significant damage to properties, roads, and bridges.
The recent spate of floods in China serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by extreme weather events and the importance of robust disaster preparedness and response efforts in safeguarding lives and communities.
