The owner of a cargo vessel has been detained after a ship hit a bridge in Guangzhou, south China, causing the bridge to part-collapse and resulting in the death of at least five people.

Chinese state media reports that the container ship collided with the Lixinsha bridge over the Pearl River in the city’s Nansha district on Thursday morning (22 February 2024). The ship hit a bridge support and another pillar, causing a portion of the bridge to collapse. Five vehicles, including a public bus (not carrying passengers at the time), three trucks and a scooter, went over the edge of the structure.

Two vehicles fell into the water, while three others landed on the ship. At least two people were pulled to safety; two were found dead at the scene. The bodies of three further victims were recovered from the water after a search, according to state media.

Broadcaster CCTV published images showing a section of the bridge fractured, with the ship trapped under it. The vessel did not appear to be carrying cargo at the time of the incident.

Guangzhou is one of the busiest seaports in China, with access to the Pearl River delta, inland from Hong Kong. Nansha is the fastest-growing port in southern China, with cargo volumes increasing yearly since it opened in 2004.

CCTV reports that, in October 2021, provincial authorities had identified the need to reinforce the bridge, including constructing “collision avoidance facilities” at four bridge piers.

The deadline for these works to be completed was postponed three times, most recently to August this year.

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