Unfinished Yuegang Bridge Collapses in Eastern China, Two Dead and Three Missing

Tragedy Strikes Jiangsu Construction Site

A section of the under-construction Yuegang Bridge in Yancheng City's Xiangshui County, located in China's eastern Jiangsu province, collapsed on Monday at approximately 5:46 PM. The incident has led to the confirmed deaths of two workers, with three additional individuals currently reported as missing.

Details of the Collapse and Rescue Efforts

The catastrophic failure involved the main span of the bridge, measuring 95 meters (312 feet), which suddenly gave way. Emergency services were immediately deployed to the site on the Tongyu River. Two workers who sustained severe injuries were transported to a hospital but later succumbed to their injuries. Rescue teams, comprising fire, maritime, and medical personnel, are actively searching for the three missing colleagues. Authorities have implemented a temporary ban on waterway navigation in the vicinity to facilitate rescue operations and ensure public safety.

Project Background and Implications

The Yuegang Bridge is a crucial component of the larger Lianyungang-Shanghai Line, a provincial initiative designed to establish a high-capacity north-south water transport corridor. The project is being undertaken by the state-owned China Railway 12th Bureau Group. Reports indicate that the project had been progressing on a tight schedule, with the old bridge closed for demolition and rebuilding in March 2025, and its main span reported as 'basically completed' by late November 2025. This incident has raised public concerns regarding safety standards within China's rapidly expanding construction sector, with online discussions focusing on whether stringent project timelines may compromise fundamental safety protocols.