This is the moment the centre of a 1,300-foot road bridge suddenly collapses sending two cars plunging into a river.
Two sections of Zijin Bridge, which is in the city of Heyuan in South China’s Guangdong Province, crumbled and collapse at 2:12am local time today (14th June), with only one survivor rescued thus far.
Video Credit: AsiaWire
The 420-metre (1,377-foot) viaduct spans the Dong – or East – River, and is also known as the Dong River Bridge or Dongjiang Bridge.
Recent heavy rains are thought to have contributed to the accident, which was captured on CCTV cameras pointed at the waterway.
The video shows the two bridge sections – built in 1972 – falling into the Dong River like a scene right out of a disaster film.
City officials say two vehicles fell into the river, including a taxi driven by a 43-year-old Mr Kuang, and a grey Toyota SUV which is still unaccounted for.
Mr Kuang, who works for China’s ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing, swam to safety and is in stable condition, but his male passenger is still missing.
He recalled: “I was crossing the bridge when I felt the ground shake. I thought there was an accident ahead but the then road suddenly gave way.
“A marble barrier on the bridge hit my windscreen and split it open. In the water, I unbuckled my seat belt and then began pulling my passenger.
“I couldn’t move him. I had no choice but to save myself, or I would’ve died.
“I really couldn’t save him, and I don’t know whether he’s dead or alive. I hope he’s alive.”
Search and rescue efforts have been ongoing since the early hours of the morning, but officials say the task is complicated by the strong currents – a result of the Fengshuba Reservoir discharge further upstream.
Guangdong Province has been hit by several days of heavy rainfall this week, with state media saying the city of Heyuan is amongst the worst affected in the region.
Persistent torrential rains have affected more than two million in South China.
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Story By: John Feng, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report
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