Nine missing in China when bridge collapses after being hit by boat

Nine people are missing after a mile-long Chinese bridge collapsed at dawn in the southern province of Guangdong after being hit by a boat laden with sand.



The Xinhua news agency says seven of the missing were travelling along the bridge in vehicles at the time of the accident, while two others were strolling along the structure.



Four vehicles fell into the water.

Part of the bridge fell onto the boat and caused it to sink.



The bridge which connects Foshan to the neighbouring city of Heshan, runs over the Xijiang, a major tributary of the Pearl River Delta.

Heavy rains in Southern China have made the river run higher and faster than usual.