Death toll from central China bridge collapse climbs to 53
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The death toll from a bridge collapse in central China's Henan Province has climbed to 53 with 13 people still missing almost two weeks after the tragedy, flood control authorities said Friday.
Rescuers had retrieved 53 bodies from the Yihe River in Luanchuan County of Luoyang City, and continued to search for the missing, a spokesman with the county's flood control headquarters said.
The bridge over the Yihe River collapsed at around 5 p.m. on July 24. A survivor said the bridge was crowded with people who were watching the flood torrents when it collapsed.
The 23-year-old bridge was more than 200 meters long and 10 meters high.
An initial investigation showed it collapsed after fallen tree trunks became stuck under it, blocking the passage of the raging flood waters.
A temporary floating bridge was set up to allow light vehicles to cross the river.
Floods have claimed another 15 lives in the county, where eight others remained missing as of Friday, according to the headquarters.
More than 726 people in the county were forced to evacuate their homes to live in tents and school classrooms on higher grounds.
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