About 38 people have died so far after a highway bridge partially collapsed in China and sent two dozen vehicles plunging in the river two weeks ago, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Friday. Meanwhile, a separate tunnel collapse and landslides in outhwestern Sichuan province on Saturday killed at least two people.
The report indicated that 24 individuals remain unaccounted for following the disaster on July 19 in Shaanxi Province, northwest China. One person was rescued.
The section of the Danning highway bridge that collapsed had been subjected to heavy rainfall in the days leading up to the incident.
According to CCTV, at least 25 cars plunged into the river. Rescue teams have been combing several kilometers downstream in search of victims. A photo released by Xinhua News Agency shortly after the collapse depicted a portion of the bridge bent at nearly a 90-degree angle, submerged in the turbulent brown water below.
In Kangding city, Sichuan province, heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides on Saturday, resulting in the destruction of houses and the deaths of two individuals. Twelve more people remain missing.
(With AP news)