- A suspension bridge collapsed on September 7 in China’s Hubei Province
- Tourists had to cling onto the structure while a few were thrown into a river
- A total of 15 people were injured with one of them being seriously wounded
- The bridge is not open to the public, but the group reportedly ignored warning
A group of tourists in China were left hanging on a suspension bridge after the structure suddenly collapsed.
The tourists had allegedly ignored the warning not to walk on the bridge, which is not open to the public.
According to reports on Chinese media, 15 people were injured as a result of the incident with one of them being seriously injured.
The incident occurred on September 7 at the Zigui County in Hubei Province, central China, reported The Paper.
The travellers were said to be carrying out outdoor activities at the Huaishuping Village of Jiuwanxi Town.
The bridge that collapsed was reportedly closed to the public and a ‘no entry’ warning sign was placed at the entrance of the bridge, which the group ignored.
According to a video of the accident posted by People’s Daily on its YouTube account, the bridge appeared to be made of wooden planks and ropes.
It collapsed on one side, leaving around seven people clinging on to the broken structure.
Dangerous: A group of tourists ignored a ‘no entry’ warning and walked on a dangerous bridge in China’s Hubei Province. However, the bridge collapsed as they stood on the structure
Clinging on for life: They had to hold tightly to the broken bridge in order not to fall into the river. 15 people were injured after rescuers called by the eyewitnesses sent them to hospitals
A number of people could be seen trying to stay afloat in a river underneath. They had allegedly been thrown into the water as the bridge fell apart.
The bridge had been built by the Zhifang Hydroelectric Power Station and is used by employees of the power station, according to Hubei Daily.
The report also said eyewitnesses immediately contacted the police and paramedics. Wounded tourists were taken to the county’s People’s Hospital and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.
A total of 15 were confirmed to be injured. One of them was severely injured, but the person’s condition has been described as ‘non-life-threatening’.
The incident is being investigated by a special team set up by the local government.