A railway bridge under construction crumpled into the Yellow River in the early hours of Friday in northwest China, killing at least 12 workers and leaving four unaccounted for.
According to ABC News, the collapse occurred during a cable-tensioning procedure on a 1.6-kilometer structure in Qinghai province, when a steel cable snapped, sending part of the bridge plunging into the river below.
The incident took place at around 3 a.m. in Qinghai, a sparsely populated province in China’s northwest region. At the time, 16 workers were on the partially constructed bridge, which stands 55 meters, or 180 feet, above the surface of the Yellow River.
Local authorities stated that the workers were conducting a tensioning operation, a crucial step in bridge construction that involves adjusting steel cables to ensure structural integrity. During the process, one of the steel cables suddenly gave way. The snapped cable led to the collapse of a large section of the bridge deck, causing it to fall into the river below. Twelve workers were confirmed dead shortly after the event. The remaining four workers are still missing as of Sunday evening.
Search Underway Using Boats, Helicopters, and Robots
Rescue operations were immediately launched following the collapse. Emergency teams deployed boats to comb the waters of the Yellow River and used a helicopter to search the wider area from above. Underwater and remotely operated robots were also sent into action as part of the effort to locate the missing workers. The search continues, with authorities stating they are using all available resources to find the four who remain unaccounted for.
Aerial images captured by the Xinhua News Agency reveal the extent of the damage. In the photos, a major section of the bridge’s distinctive aquamarine arch is visibly missing. A portion of the bridge deck can be seen hanging down, dipping into the river beneath.
Bridge Spans Major Chinese Waterway
The bridge was a significant infrastructure project in the region, designed to stretch 1.6 kilometers—or one mile—over the Yellow River. The Yellow River is China's second-longest waterway and plays a key role in agriculture, industry, and transportation across the country.
The structure had not yet been completed or opened to public use. Officials had not disclosed exactly how much of the bridge had been constructed before the collapse, or whether other parts remain at risk. The English-language edition of China Daily confirmed the bridge’s height, noting that the deck stands 55 meters above the water. No vehicles or equipment besides the 16 construction workers were reported to have been on the bridge at the time of the incident.
Details Emerge, But the Cause Under Investigation
While the snapping of the steel cable was identified as the mechanical trigger behind the collapse, it is not yet known what caused the failure. Authorities have not released any information about whether structural tests had been performed before the tensioning operation.
An investigation is underway to assess whether the collapse was due to faulty materials, human error, or other technical issues. Officials have not made any public statements regarding liability or project oversight at this time. “Sixteen workers were on the bridge in northwest China's Qinghai province when a steel cable snapped about 3 a.m. Friday, during a tensioning operation,” Xinhua reported. The agency has continued to provide updates as the operation unfolds.
Bridge Collapse Adds to Infrastructure Safety Concerns
China has invested heavily in infrastructure in recent years, including roads, bridges, and high-speed railway networks. While many of these projects are lauded for their engineering achievements, incidents like this continue to raise questions about construction safety.
This is not the first time Chinese authorities have had to respond to a construction accident involving fatalities. Similar incidents in the past have prompted temporary site closures and safety inspections across the country. Public response to such disasters is often cautious, with government agencies typically managing information flow through state-run outlets. As of now, no families of the victims have publicly spoken to the media, and the identities of the workers have not been released.
Local Government Pledges Full Support for Victims’ Families
Local officials in Qinghai have pledged to support the families of those who died in the collapse. While details about compensation or aid have not been made public, it is standard practice for local governments to coordinate assistance through state-backed channels.
The bridge project had reportedly been underway for several months, though the specific timeline was not disclosed. It is unclear whether construction will resume or if the project will be suspended indefinitely during the investigation. The four remaining missing workers are presumed to be in or near the waters of the Yellow River. Authorities have not stated whether there is a timeline for completing the recovery operation, but have emphasized that the search will continue without pause.
