26 killed in China bridge collapse

Over two dozen people have been killed in an incident where a fireworks-laden truck exploded on a bridge in central China.

The incident, which led to the collapse of the structure, occurred on Friday after the truck “suddenly exploded” as it was crossing the express bridge in Mianchi County in Henan Province, China National Radio reported.

The explosion caused an 80-meter long section of the bridge to collapse while plunging other vehicles to the ground. Twenty-six people have been reported killed.

Search and rescue efforts are underway, while provincial officials imposed traffic control on the expressway.

The bridge is on the G30 expressway, which is the longest road in China and stretches for about 4,400 kilometers from the western border with Kazakhstan to the Yellow Sea in the east.

The fireworks were being transferred to be used in China’s Lunar New Year celebrations. Fireworks are popular practice during the festivities.