A cargo ship traveling near the Chinese city of Guangzhou caused disaster Thursday when it crashed into a highway bridge. The collision broke the deck of the bridge free from its supports and plunged four vehicles into the river below. Two people were killed in the incident.
The crash, first reported by BBC News, happened around 5:30 a.m. local time on Thursday when an empty cargo ship was sailing through the Pearl River delta in southern China.
The ship reportedly collided with one of the support structures for the Lixinsha Bridge to the south of the city of Guangzhou. the collision knocked the deck of the bridge loose. When the deck fell into the river below, it brought with it five vehicles that were crossing the bridge at the time, including a bus. The BBC reports:
The ship’s captain has been detained and people residing in the vicinity have been evacuated, according to local media, citing district authorities.
The company that owns the ship said it is cooperating with the investigation, according to reports.
One report quoted a resident saying water supply and internet service in his neighborhood were suspended.
Following the collision, Reuters reports that two people were treated in hospital for their injuries, they are now “stable.” A crew member on board also sustained minor injuries, the site reported.
Local media reported that more than 100 emergency workers were called to the scene, including divers and crews working across “about 15 boats” in the river beneath the bridge.
According to reports, the bridge in the city of Guangzhou had been overdue for reinforcement works on some of its foundations. The BBC notes that provincial authorities had called for the bridge to be reinforced and “collision avoidance facilities” be installed at the site. However, the deadline for such works was postponed three times.
