The operator of Jiujiang Bridge in Guangdong Province on Tuesday sought 25.58 million yuan (US$3.38 million) compensation from the owner of a sand barge which brought it down, the Information Times reported yesterday.

On June 15, the boat hit a pier supporting the bridge, which connects Jiujiang Township in Foshan to Heshan City, causing 200 meters of the 1,600-meter-long bridge to collapse. Four vehicles and nine people fell into the river. Eight bodies have so far been recovered.

The bridge operator Fokai Highway Co. Ltd. said it can't charge tolls while the bridge is being repaired, which will take at least six months, so the boat's owner Yang Xiong and operator Yuhang Shipping Co. Ltd. should cover its losses.

The bridge operator received an average of 142,154 yuan in tolls every day in May, so the losses for six months will run around 25.58 million yuan, the report said.

The captain of the boat was arrested Aug. 3 for improperly operating his boat.

The sand boat was heading to Shunde City from Foshan City about 4:30 a.m. June 15. It lost its way in dense fog near Jiujiang Bridge at about 5 a.m.

Captain Shi Guide ordered the boat to continue at a high speed rather than slow down or drop anchor during the poor visibility, the report said citing a prosecutor.

He didn't stop even after the boat ran into a navigation board about 80 meters from the bridge.

Shi said he mistook two white construction lights hung along the bridge for green lights meaning it was safe to pass.
 

Editor: Yan