At least 11 people have been killed and more than 30 are missing after a highway bridge collapsed in northern chinaas reported by Chinese state media, while part of the country is hit by torrential rains.

The bridge, which is over a river, collapsed at around 20.40 (local time yesterday, 15.40 Greek time yesterday) “due to sudden downpour and flooding” in Sangluo in the province Shaanxi, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency, which reported 11 dead. More than 30 people are missing, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Sangluo is located about 900 kilometers southwest of Beijing.

CCTV broadcast images showing the partial collapse of the bridge and parts of it falling into the river. Rescue operations were continuing this morning and by 10:00 (local time, 05:00 Greece time) five vehicles had been pulled from the river waters, local authorities said according to Xinhua.

Since Tuesday, large areas in northern and central China have been hit by torrential rains, which have caused flooding and severe property damage.

In the same province, the heavy rains caused the death of 5 people, while the fate of another 8 is unknown in Baoji, where about 3.2 million people live, according to a report published yesterday by the Xinhua agency.

China is experiencing extreme weather conditions this summer, with record high temperatures mainly in the northern part of the country, while the south is hit by rain and floods.

In May, 48 people died in a highway collapse in southern China after heavy rains.