A truck carrying 15 people plunged into a river in South China’s Guangxi region on Saturday. The accident occurred while the vehicle crossed a flooded bridge in Luoyang town. Consequently heavy rainfall triggered flash floods that caused the bridge to become submerged. Local authorities confirmed on Tuesday that six people have died. Rescue workers also report that four others remain missing.
Rescuers recovered the submerged truck at around 11 a.m. on Tuesday. They used specialized equipment to lift the vehicle from the river. As of 10 a.m., rescuers had located the truck and recovered one missing person. Medical staff later confirmed that person had died. Therefore the death toll from these flash floods now stands at six. Five survivors have received medical treatment. Authorities continue searching for the four missing individuals.
Heavy to torrential rain hit several Guangxi cities from Monday to Tuesday. These cities include Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Nanning, Liuzhou and Baise. The highest daily precipitation reached 269.5 millimeters in Naliang township, Fangchenggang. Consequently rivers such as the Beilun, Maoling, Hongshui and Fangcheng saw water level rises of 1 to 5 meters. Three monitoring stations on two rivers recorded floodwaters exceeding warning levels. Those excesses ranged from 0.82 to 1.05 meters above normal.
These flash floods created dangerous conditions across the region. Local emergency services responded quickly after Saturday’s accident. Rescue teams worked through Sunday and Monday to locate victims. The truck driver reportedly attempted to cross the flooded bridge before the plunge. Authorities warn residents to avoid driving through flooded areas during heavy rain. The flash floods also damaged several roads and bridges in Luoyang town. Meteorologists predict more rainfall for Guangxi later this week. Therefore rescue operations continue under challenging conditions.
Officials urge all citizens to monitor weather warnings closely. The government will investigate the bridge’s safety standards after the incident. Meanwhile, families of the victims receive support from local social services. This tragedy highlights the deadly risks of flash floods during extreme weather events. China’s flood season typically runs from May through September each year. The coming months may bring additional heavy rainfall to southern provinces. Preparedness and caution remain essential for all travelers in flood-prone regions.
