Three missing in Chinese bridge collapse

Five people were injured and three missing after a bridge in Taihe county, Jiangxi province, collapsed on Sunday morning, China News Service reported.

The Tianhe bridge across the Gan River came down as it was being dismantled, and the injured and missing were believed to be construction workers, the county government said.

The search for the missing continued throughout the afternoon and the injured were sent to a local hospital for emergency treatment, the report said.

The bridge had been out of service for some time and barricades had been erected at both ends of the structure to prevent access by unauthorised personnel and vehicles.

A new bridge, which came into operation earlier this year, had been built next to the old structure.