News Desk

A bridge collapse in the Shaanxi province of China has caused the deaths of at least 15 people. As of Sunday evening, rescue efforts are still underway, said Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

According to authorities, the bridge in Zhashui County in Shangluo city had partially collapsed due to recent rains and flash flooding. At least 25 vehicles were reported to have fallen off the bridge by CCTV. The National fire and rescue authority of China has deployed a total of 1,630 rescuers, 205 vehicles, and 63 boats to commence the rescue operation, according to thebroadcaster.

It is uncertain exactly how many people were rescued or had remained missing as of Monday. However, Chinese state media reported earlier that one person was rescued. Chinese President Xi Jinping said he had called for “all-out rescue efforts” and ordered authorities to stay alert to any and all ongoing hazards.

The situation comes as part of an ongoing issue of torrential rain, flooding and landfall that the Chinese people had to deal with in the last few weeks in the flood season that apparently arrived two months earlier than expected.

More than 100,000 people were evacuated in the neighboring province of Henan as a result of excessive flooding, said the state media. Towards the southwest, in Sichuan province, more than 10 people were killed and 29 remained missing after flash floods hit a village in Hanyuan County early Saturday. According to the authorities, sudden floods hit around 2:30 am local time, during when many were asleep, and damaged homes, roads and bridges.