The death toll has risen to 12, while 31 others remain missing after a highway bridge collapsed in northwest China's Shaanxi Province amid torrential rains, local authorities said on Saturday, adding that search and rescue operations are underway.

By 12 p.m. on Saturday, rescue teams had recovered seven vehicles that had fallen into the river and one person was rescued.

The bridge, located in Zhashui County in Shangluo City, collapsed at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Friday due to a sudden downpour and flash floods.

After the bridge collapse, 736 firefighters along with 18 boats and 32 drones were dispatched in rescue operations. China's Ministry of Emergency Management also sent a working team to the site.