China Bridge Collapse Claims 12 Lives
A China bridge collapse occurred when part of an under-construction railway bridge buckled and plunged into the Yellow River. The disaster struck at around 3 a.m., killing at least 12 workers and leaving four missing. It happened during a tensioning operation when a steel cable snapped.
The bridge is part of the Sichuan–Qinghai Railway and, once complete, will span 1.6 kilometers, rising about 55 meters above the river. It is expected to be the world’s largest double-track continuous steel truss arch bridge and the first of its kind in China to cross the Yellow River.
Collapse Report Highlights Rescue and Response
State media shared dramatic footage showing the arch’s central segment falling into the river. At the time of the collapse, 15 workers and one project manager were present. Initial death reports varied but later confirmed 12 fatalities. Four people remain unaccounted for.
An extensive rescue mission mobilised 806 personnel, 91 vehicles, 27 boats, one helicopter, and five robots. Six hospitals established green channels for treating the injured. Emergency and forensic teams continue search efforts. Additionally, a task force from the Ministry of Emergency Management is on site to assist.
Bridge Project Background and Safety Concerns
The bridge, named the Jianzha Yellow River Bridge, is located on the border of Jianzha County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Hualong County, Haidong, Qinghai. Construction began in 2023 and was set for completion by late August 2025.
Industrial accidents are frequent in China’s infrastructure sector, often tied to lax safety protocols. Last December, for instance, 13 workers disappeared in a cave-in at a railway construction site in Shenzhen.