Qingdao's landmark pier damaged in storm surge

The landmark pier of east China's port city of Qingdao has been partially damaged by a storm surge, local authorities said Tuesday. A 50-meter-long section of the Zhanqiao Pier, a famous scenic spot in Qingdao, collapsed early Monday morning, sources with the publicity office of the Qingdao municipal government said. No casualties have been reported so far, the sources said. Following some rescue work, local police closed the pier and repair plans are being discussed. A rainstorm battered the coastal city on Sunday. Local meteorologists and hydrologists with the North China Sea Branch of the State Oceanic Administration said they believe the collapse was triggered by a high tide and continuous huge waves offshore. Located on the north side of Qingdao Bay, the strip pier stretching into the sea was initially constructed in 1892. It was the first man-made military loading pier in the port city and currently serves as a landmark building and tourist attraction in Qingdao. The pier has been seriously damaged three times, most recently in 1985. It has not seen any major repair work since the Qingdao municipal government launched an overhaul of the pier in 1998.