An under-construction bridge in Northwest China collapsed on Friday, claiming the lives of 12 people. Four others are missing.
The tragic incident was captured by a CCTV and shows the moment when the central section of the bridge’s arch was broken apart and plunged into the Yellow River below. Xinhua reported that the collapse was caused due to the failure of a steel cable.
15 workers and project amanger were present at the site at the time of the incident, as per People’s Daily reports. The pictures shared by state outlets shows a gaping hole in the partially built bridge, surrounded by cranes and scaffoldings.
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Part of Major Railway Project
The bridge is an integral part of the Sichuan-Qinghai Railway. It is described as the world’s largest-span double-track continuous steel truss arch bridge. It is also China’s first railway steel truss arch bridge to cross the nation’s second largest river, Yellow River.
Xinhua stated that hundreds of workers are conducting a searcha nd rescue operation. China is a magnet for industrial accidents, often linked to poor enforcement of safety standards.
