XI'AN, July 20 -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing on Saturday urged searching for the missing people by all means after the collapse of a highway bridge in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

The bridge, located in Zhashui County in Shangluo City, collapsed at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Friday due to flash floods caused by heavy rain. Twelve people were found dead and one person was rescued, while 31 people remained missing.

Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, led a working team to the site to guide rescue efforts.

He asked to further dispatch underwater rescue professionals along the lower reaches of the river and try every possible way to search for the missing people in a race against time.

Efforts should be made to repair the damaged bridges and restore traffic order as soon as possible, Zhang said, also urging prompt investigations into the bridge collapse.

As the current flood season features high risks of geological disasters, all regions should comprehensively investigate and rectify potential risks along highways and railways, Zhang said, calling for strengthened monitoring, early warning, and timely traffic control to minimize casualties.