According to Xinhua News Agency, the bridge located in Tac Thuy district, Cang Le city, Shaanxi province collapsed at 8:40 p.m. on July 19 after heavy rain and flash floods.

Shaanxi provincial authorities said the bridge over the river in Tac Thuy district collapsed on the evening of July 19 "due to torrential rains and flash floods." Footage on CCTV showed part of the bridge collapsing into the murky water below.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an all-out rescue operation after a highway bridge collapsed in Tashui County due to heavy rain and flooding, Sky News reported.

Rescue operations are underway today (July 20) in Tac Thuy district. In addition to the 11 deaths, the bridge collapse also left about 20 cars and 30 people missing.

By 10am on July 20, rescuers had recovered five vehicles that had fallen into the river. Rescue operations are still underway.

A photo released by Xinhua News Agency shows part of the highway bridge broken and tilted nearly 90 degrees into the rushing water below.

China's National Fire and Rescue Administration said it had sent a rescue team to the scene consisting of 859 people, 90 vehicles, 20 boats and 41 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

In recent decades, Beijing has embarked on a massive economic project to build a network of highways, high-speed railways and airports. However, China's western and southwestern provinces are mountainous and have strong rivers, making them highly susceptible to flooding during the rainy season.

KHANH LINH (t/h)