XI’AN (Xinhua) – Rescuers have found the bodies of 15 victims in a highway bridge collapse in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, local authorities said on Sunday evening, reported Xinhua.
Meanwhile, on the search and rescue operation, it stated that the number of professional rescue workers at the site had increased to 1,630 by 2 pm on Sunday, more than a day after the collapse that has already left 12 dead and another 31 missing.
Aided by 205 vehicles, 63 vessels and 82 drones, rescuers are combing through a 70-kilometre stretch of Jinqian River downstream from the collapse site. More than 1,500 local residents have also joined the search.
A 40-metre section of the No. 2 Bridge in Yanping Village came down at about 8.40 pm on Friday, after a heavy rainstorm triggered a flash flood on Jinqian River.
Rescue personnel have said that river torrents have slowed and water levels have dropped on Sunday, allowing them to locate vehicle wrecks more easily.
On Sunday morning, Xinhua reporters on-site saw a truck being retrieved from the riverbed 500 metres downstream of the collapse site. No driver or passenger was found along with the wreck.
