Steel Snap Tragedy: Bridge Collapse Claims 12 Lives in China

A deadly accident struck northwest China when an under-construction railway bridge collapsed over the Yellow River, killing at least 12 workers and leaving four others missing.

The disaster occurred around 3 a.m. Friday in Qinghai province, as a steel cable snapped during a tensioning operation. Sixteen workers were on the bridge at the time. Rescue teams have launched an intensive search using boats, a helicopter, and robotic equipment to locate the missing.

Aerial images reveal a gaping void in the bridge’s curved aquamarine arch, with part of the deck twisted and hanging into the river below. The bridge spans 1.6 kilometers and towers 55 meters above the water, making the collapse both dramatic and devastating.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the failure as recovery efforts continue.