At least 12 workers lost their lives when an under-construction railway bridge collapsed over the Yellow River in Qinghai province, northwest China. State media confirmed the tragedy on Friday.

How the Accident Happened

The incident took place around 3 a.m. during a tensioning operation. A steel cable suddenly snapped, which caused a large part of the bridge’s aquamarine arch to fall. Pictures released by Xinhua News Agency showed part of the deck hanging in a twisted shape above the river.

Workers and Rescue Efforts

Sixteen workers were present at the site when the collapse happened. Rescuers recovered several bodies, but four workers remain missing. Authorities have deployed boats, a helicopter, and underwater robots to aid the search.

About the Bridge

The bridge was still under construction at the time of the accident. According to China Daily, the structure measures 1.6 kilometres in length. Its deck stands 55 metres above the river surface.