State media reports say 12 people have been confirmed dead after a highway bridge partially collapsed amid downpours on Friday night in northwestern Shaanxi province.

The official Xinhua news agency says sudden heavy rain and flash floods caused the collapse in the city of Shangluo.

It said five vehicles that had plunged into the river below had been recovered as of Saturday morning. Rescue operations were continuing.

Xinhua said at least 31 people remained missing. It reported that 17 cars and eight trucks had fallen into the river.

Earlier on Friday, officials in another city in Shaanxi, Baoji, said five people had been confirmed dead and eight others were missing following torrential rain earlier in the week.

They said the city had suffered record daily rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Last updated: 2024-07-20 HKT 17:33