Investigation Report Details Causes of Deadly Bridge Collapse in Northwest China
A recent investigation reveals that mountain torrents and flooding led to a catastrophic bridge failure in Shaanxi Province, resulting in significant loss of life.
BEIJING, March 27 -- An investigation report has concluded that a bridge collapse in Shaanxi Province, northwest China, which left 62 individuals dead or missing, was instigated by mountain torrents and regional flooding.
The tragic incident took place on July 19, 2024, when a highway bridge in Zhashui County, part of the city of Shangluo, was breached, sending 25 vehicles into the river below.
The report, sanctioned by an investigative team from various governmental departments, including the Ministry of Emergency Management, attributed the disaster to severe weather conditions.
It was noted that the mountain torrents led to substantial accumulations of floating debris, including timber, which impacted the structural integrity of the bridge.
The investigation indicated that the combined force of the rushing water and the debris created pressure that exceeded the load-bearing capacity of the bridge piers.
This critical failure resulted in the collapse of the entire bridge structure.
Furthermore, the report highlighted deficiencies in construction management, design, supervision, and river regulation for highway bridges, underscoring the necessity for improvement in these areas to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The economic repercussions of the collapse are significant, with estimated direct losses amounting to approximately 158 million yuan, equivalent to about 22 million U.S. dollars.
In response to the findings, the provincial disciplinary inspection and supervisory commission has initiated action against those deemed responsible for the disaster, in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The tragic incident took place on July 19, 2024, when a highway bridge in Zhashui County, part of the city of Shangluo, was breached, sending 25 vehicles into the river below.
The report, sanctioned by an investigative team from various governmental departments, including the Ministry of Emergency Management, attributed the disaster to severe weather conditions.
It was noted that the mountain torrents led to substantial accumulations of floating debris, including timber, which impacted the structural integrity of the bridge.
The investigation indicated that the combined force of the rushing water and the debris created pressure that exceeded the load-bearing capacity of the bridge piers.
This critical failure resulted in the collapse of the entire bridge structure.
Furthermore, the report highlighted deficiencies in construction management, design, supervision, and river regulation for highway bridges, underscoring the necessity for improvement in these areas to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The economic repercussions of the collapse are significant, with estimated direct losses amounting to approximately 158 million yuan, equivalent to about 22 million U.S. dollars.
In response to the findings, the provincial disciplinary inspection and supervisory commission has initiated action against those deemed responsible for the disaster, in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
