Bridge collapses in central China

BEIJING. May 13. KAZINFORM A bridge in central China's Hunan province collapsed Sunday morning, local authorities and firefighters said.

The bridge, which connects two townships in Pingjiang county, collapsed at around 8:30 am, firefighters said.

It is unknown how many people were injured or even killed in the collapse but witnesses said that there were people falling into water under the bridge, said Su Tao, an official with the county's fire department, Kazinform quotes China Daily.

So far, firefighters have not rescued anyone yet but some people have managed to climb ashore, Su said.

The county was battered by torrential rains on Saturday, which might have something to do with the collapse, officials said.

Saturday's strong rainfall toppled over 3,500 homes and forced more than 28,880 people to evacuate in the county.