Death toll from NW China bridge construction accident rises to 7

(ECNS) -- The death toll from a rope break accident at a bridge under construction on the Qinghai section of the Sichuan-Qinghai Railway has risen to seven, according to local authorities in Qinghai Province.

The accident happened at around 3 a.m. Friday, when 15 construction workers and one on-site project manager were carrying out operations.

Nine people remain missing. Search and rescue efforts are underway.

The bridge over the Yellow River is a steel truss arch construction. Its main span was expected to be closed by the end of this month.

(By Zhang Dongfang)