Cargo Ship Collision Causes Bridge Collapse in Southern China

Thu Feb 22 2024
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

BEIJING: An unfortunate incident occurred in southern China when an empty cargo ship collided with a bridge, resulting in part of it collapsing. The collision occurred between the cities of Foshan and Guangzhou, causing chaos and tragedy in its wake.

According to the Guangzhou maritime affairs bureau, the collision caused five vehicles, including a motorbike, to fall off the bridge either into the water below or onto the ship itself. The container vessel struck the Lixinsha Bridge around 5:30 am, leading to the collapse of the roadway above upon contact with the bridge pillars.

Rescue efforts were immediately launched, with footage showing emergency personnel racing to the scene in dinghies, while patrol boats circled the area. Despite the swift response, the situation remained dire, with two fatalities reported, one crew member injured, and three individuals still missing as of the latest update.

Photos captured the aftermath, depicting the cargo ship lodged at a diagonal angle between the bridge pillars, with water gushing out from severed pipes onto its deck. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation, with rescue operations underway and additional personnel deployed from nearby regions.

As the investigation continues and rescue efforts persist, authorities are striving to bring the situation under control and provide assistance to those affected by the tragic collision.

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp