A section of a highway in southern China collapsed on Wednesday, causing 18 cars to tumble down a slope. The collapse resulted in the deaths of at least 24 people, with 30 others being hospitalized. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. in Meizhou city, Guangdong province. Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise and seeing a hole open up behind them after driving past the collapsed section. Parts of Guangdong province had experienced record rains and flooding in the weeks leading up to the collapse, with some villages in Meizhou flooding in early April.
The death toll from the highway collapse rose to 24 by Wednesday afternoon, according to China’s Xinhua News agency. The area had been experiencing heavy rains and hail in the days leading up to the incident. Witnesses described a large hole opening up behind them after driving past the section of road that later collapsed. Videos and photos from the scene showed smoke and fire, with highway rails slanted downward into the flames, and a pile of blackened cars on the slope leading down from the collapsed highway. The ground beneath the highway appeared to have caved in, causing the road to break off.
Rescue workers quickly responded to the scene, taking 30 injured individuals to the hospital for treatment. The collapsed section of the highway measured 58.7 feet long, with 18 cars falling down the slope as a result. The incident caused chaos and devastation in the area, with local media capturing footage of the aftermath. The collapse highlights the dangers posed by extreme weather conditions, with heavy rains and flooding contributing to the instability of the road. Meizhou city in Guangdong province had seen heavy rains in recent days, exacerbating the situation and leading to the tragic loss of life.
Authorities in Meizhou city have launched an investigation into the cause of the highway collapse, aiming to determine the factors that led to the tragic event. The collapse serves as a stark reminder of the importance of infrastructure maintenance and the need to address vulnerabilities in the face of extreme weather events. The incident has sparked discussions about road safety and the impact of climate change on infrastructure, with calls for increased investment in resilient and sustainable infrastructure. The tragic collapse has brought attention to the need for improved disaster preparedness and response measures to mitigate the impact of such events on communities and individuals.
