These are the mangled cars salvaged by divers after a road bridge collapsed sending vehicles plunging into a river and left two missing.
The two vehicles, both Toyota cars, disappeared into the Dong River which is also known as the Dongjiang River following the collapse of Zijin Bridge at 2:12am local time on 14th June.
Video Credit: AsiaWire
CCTV cameras captured the moment the centre of the bridge collapsed and the two cars carrying the three people plunged into the water.
In a statement at 9am today (17th June), the Heyuan Maritime Bureau in China’s southern Guangdong Province said the second and larger vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, was retrieved after nearly 80 hours and 14 dives.
Pictures show both the grey saloon and the white SUV badly misshapen, with their windows missing and their bodies mangled by the accident.
Authorities said the vehicle was discovered 25 metres (82 feet) downstream and was 8 metres (26 feet) underwater.
However, the vehicle’s driver, who is believed to have been the sole occupant at the time of the bridge collapse, has yet to be found.
Also unaccounted for is a male passenger of the other vehicle, a Toyota saloon, which was driven by cabbie Mr Kuang, aged 43.
Mr Kuang, who is a driver for Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing, later admitted he was forced to abandon his car and his client in order to save his own life.
He had said previously: “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.”
The Heyuan Maritime Bureau said it would continue to focus its attention on the two missing victims, while further investigations into the cause of the accident are to be expected.
The city of Heyuan had been amongst the worst hit by days of continuous torrential rain in South China, where millions have been affected.
Zijin Bridge was 420 metres (1,377 feet) long and was completed in 1972.
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Story By: John Feng, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Asia Wire Report
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