Lorry Suspended Over Collapsed Bridge in China
A lorry, with its driver trapped inside, was discovered precariously hanging over a collapsed bridge on a highway in Guizhou province, China.
Heavy and persistent rainfall triggered a landslide beneath the Xiamen-Chengdu Expressway, causing the bridge to collapse around 7:40 AM on Tuesday (June 24), as reported by Guizhou Daily.
Videos circulating on Chinese social media show the lorry’s cabin dangling above the gap below.
In an interview shared on X by Shanghai Eye, driver You Guochun recounted that as his truck approached the section of the bridge that would soon fail, he felt the ground “sink slightly” and promptly hit the brakes.
“Nevertheless, due to inertia, the truck moved forward a bit further. The bridge ahead completely gave way… I was terrified and just froze,” he recalled.
In another social media clip, a witness can be heard advising You, “You’re lucky; this is dangerous,” suggesting he wait for help.
You mentioned trying to contact the fire department but struggled to get through. The observer then pointed out that mobile service was unavailable in that area.
According to You, firefighters eventually arrived and provided him with a ladder to climb onto the top of the lorry while ensuring his safe passage through it.
Local transportation officials identified structural issues during a routine check at 5:51 AM on Tuesday and quickly implemented traffic controls for uphill lanes by 7:11 AM, according to Global Times.
Authorities confirmed three vehicles were found at the bottom of the bridge and stated there were no occupants inside them.
An investigation into the causes of the collapse and subsequent measures is currently underway, as noted by China Daily.
**Severe Weather Across Several Regions**
Meteorologists have forecast additional rainfall in the coming days and warned that provinces like Guizhou already affected by flooding remain susceptible to overlapping storms.
While summer flooding is common in China, climate change has heightened these risks—resulting in more frequent instances of severe rainfall.
Chinese authorities cautioned that under extreme weather conditions, “black swan” disasters—rare yet catastrophic events such as dam failures or sudden infrastructure collapses—are becoming increasingly likely.
On Tuesday, Southern China experienced heavy rain and flooding, while Northern provinces like Henan, Shandong, and Hebei faced temperatures approaching 40°C.
