Bridge collapse crushes fishing boats in Taiwan

Crew members are feared trapped after the structure fell on top of vessels moored in a harbour

A bridge collapsed into a harbour in north-eastern Taiwan on Tuesday, crushing several fishing boats and trapping some crew members.

At least nine people fell in the water and seven were rescued, Taiwan's Central News Agency said. Six people were reported to be seriously injured.

Divers were searching for those feared trapped in several fishing boats, government officials from the port township of Suao told Reuters.

"The bridge collapsed at around 9.30am while an oil tanker vehicle was on it, setting the vehicle on fire," said Shih I-chun, a mayoral official. "We feared that some fishermen might be trapped in the boats."

People struggle with the wind as they cross the street under the rain as Typhoon Mitag approaches northern Taiwan, in Keelung. EPA

People use umbrellas to shelter from the rain as they cross a road in Keelung city as typhoon Mitag approached the northeast coast of Taiwan. AFP

A statue of Matsu is seen at Zhongzheng park in Keelung city as typhoon Mitag approaches the northeast coast of Taiwan. AFP

People cross the street under the rain in Taipei, Taiwan. According to The Central Weather Bureau, Typhoon Mitag is expected to bring strong wind and heavy rain to Taiwan between 30 September and 01 October, as it skirts Taiwan's east coast. EPA

A woman struggles against gusts of wind generated by Typhoon Mitag in Taipei, Taiwan. Fast-moving Typhoon Mitag was bearing down on northern Taiwan on Monday, bringing high winds and heavy rain and forcing flight cancellations. AP Photo

A store staff reinforces their glass window as typhoon Mitag is expected to hit northern Taiwan, in Keelung, Taiwan. According to report, Typhoon Mitag will disrupt air, land and water traffic. Mitag is located at sea about 290 kilometers off the south-southeast of Yilan County, moving at 27 kilometers per hour at a northwesterly direction, with maximum sustained winds of 126 kilometers per hour, with gusts of up to 162 kilometers per hour, and with a radius of 180 kilometers, according to Taiwan Central Weather Bureau. EPA

People cross the street under the rain as typhoon Mitag is expected to hit northern Taiwan, in Keelung, Taiwan. According to report, Typhoon Mitag will disrupt air, land and water traffic. Mitag is located at sea about 290 kilometers off the south-southeast of Yilan County, moving at 27 kilometers per hour at a northwesterly direction, with maximum sustained winds of 126 kilometers per hour, with gusts of up to 162 kilometers per hour, and with a radius of 180 kilometers, according to Taiwan Central Weather Bureau. EPA

People struggle with the wind as they cross the street under the rain as typhoon Mitag is expected to hit northern Taiwan, in Keelung, Taiwan. According to report, Typhoon Mitag will disrupt air, land and water traffic. Mitag is located at sea about 290 kilometers off the south-southeast of Yilan County, moving at 27 kilometers per hour at a northwesterly direction, with maximum sustained winds of 126 kilometers per hour, with gusts of up to 162 kilometers per hour, and with a radius of 180 kilometers, according to Taiwan Central Weather Bureau. EPA

People waiting to cross the street under the rain in Taipei, Taiwan. According to The Central Weather Bureau, Typhoon Mitag is expected to bring strong wind and heavy rain to Taiwan between 30 September and 01 October, as it skirts Taiwan's east coast. EPA

A handout photo made available by Taiwan Coast Guard Administration shows rescuers at the scene of the collapsed Nanfangao Bridge in Nanfangao, Yilan County, northeastern Taiwan. According to media reports, the collapse occured soon after an oil tanker crossed on to the bridge. The structural failure caused the tanker to fall into the waterway and ignite. Civilian and military rescuers have rescued 10 people, including oil the tanker's driver. EPA

The authorities have set up an emergency centre and the military said marines and the navy were helping with the rescue efforts.

"Saving life is priority," Taiwanese leader Su Tseng-chang said in a Facebook post. "I will ask related authorities to make all effort for the rescue."

The collapse of the Nanfangao Bridge, which carries traffic over the busy fishing port, damaged three fishing boats and two vehicles, including the tanker, the officials said, though the reason for the collapse in clear weather was not immediately clear.

Late on Monday, Typhoon Mitag, with maximum winds of 162kph, swept past north-eastern Taiwan, injuring 12 people and cutting power to more than 66,000 homes. More than 150 flights were cancelled.