Float Bridge Collapses in SW China, Seven People MissingSeven people were still missing after a float bridge collapsed due to overload on Sunday morning, in the city of Luzhou, southwest China's Sichuan Province.A report reaching Chengdu Monday said that dozens of people fell into the river of Naixi after the bridge linking Jinlong and Yufeng townships collapsed. The bridge, built with seven boats and wood blocks, was finished on July 28 responding to a major boat accident in the city. According to local people, the government of Jinlong Township decided to build the float bridge after a boat accident in Hejiang County, also in Luzhou city, took 130 lives on June 22. After the bridge was opened to traffic, the township authorities would assign at least five workers to maintain order and ensure safety of the bridge on busy days when local fairs are held. However, thousands of people rushed to cross the bridge on Sunday in defiance of the warning of the workers, causing the boats that supported the bridge to sink. After the accident, Sichuan provincial leaders rushed to the scene to direct rescue operations. |
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