Hefei, China—A bridge under construction in a remote area of Anhui collapsed on Wednesday, killing four workers. The incident occurred during a pouring phase of the concrete decking. Emergency crews were dispatched to the site shortly before noon after receiving reports of a structural failure.

Rescue teams spent the afternoon searching through the twisted metal and wet concrete. By mid-afternoon, they had recovered the bodies of the four missing construction workers. No other employees were reported missing, though medical teams treated two others for minor injuries on-site.

The bridge was part of a local development project aimed at connecting two rural villages. Construction began earlier this spring and was scheduled for completion by the end of the year. Witnesses reported hearing a loud crack before the structure gave way into the narrow ravine below.

Regional officials have ordered an immediate work stoppage on all similar projects across the province. A team of engineers has been dispatched to assess the structural integrity of the remaining parts of the bridge. They are specifically looking at the quality of the materials used in the support beams.

The construction company is cooperating with provincial investigators. A company representative stated that they are conducting an internal audit of all site safety protocols. Work logs and inspection records have been seized for review by the local labor department.

The provincial government issued a statement confirming the death toll and promising a thorough investigation into the cause. Safety inspectors are evaluating whether recent heavy rains in the area affected the foundation. Forensic teams are currently gathering samples of the concrete for laboratory testing.

The site remains cordoned off to prevent public access. Family members of the deceased have been contacted, and psychological support services have been offered to the surviving crew. The atmosphere at the construction site remains tense as officials continue their site survey.

The investigation is in its early stages, with engineers waiting for the debris to be stabilized before they can enter the most damaged sections. No conclusion has been reached regarding the potential cause of the failure.