20 dead, 39 missing after China bridge collapses

13 August 2007Yahoo! News

At least 20 people were killed and 39 remain missing after a bridge being built in central China collapsed just before it was to be put into use, state media reported on Tuesday.

The 260-metre (870-foot) bridge over the Tuo river in Hunan province collapsed on Monday as workers were removing steel scaffolding erected during the construction process, according to the Xinhua news agency.

Twenty people have been confirmed dead, 39 remain missing and 22 were injured, Xinhua said, citing the local rescue headquarters.