China Highway Collapse: A massive cave-in of a stretch of the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway in China's Dabu county of the Guangdong province claimed at least 36 lives. Local authorities launched a rescue operation, which is still underway, to find survivors. Local news publisher South China Morning Post cited authorities in Meizhou city in the Guangdong province to report that the collapse occurred around 2 AM local time, sending 18 vehicles hurtling down a slope. The section of the highway that gave way was approximately 58.7 feet, according to news agency AP.
While the initial toll was 19, the figure rose to 36, news agency AFP reported. According to state-run news publisher Xinhua, at least 31 people have been hospitalised. The Ministry of Emergency Management deployed a 500-member task force to help with rescue efforts in the aftermath of the China highway collapse in the Guangdong province on Wednesday.
Rain, Floods In Guangdong
Guangdong, the most populous province of China, has been dealing with extreme weather, including unprecedented rainfall and flooding, over the last fortnight. Some areas have also experienced hail storms. Meizhou has also been dealing with heavy rain and flooding in certain areas since early April. At least four people were killed in flash floods last week and 11,000 were displaced.
According to British broadcaster BBC, the economic loss is estimated to be around 140.6 million yuan ($19.4 million).
On Wednesday, witnesses said they heard a deafening noise and saw a massive cavity open up behind them shortly after passing the section of the highway that collapsed.
Local media circulated footage and images capturing scenes of smoke and flames engulfing the site, with the highway's guardrails angling downwards. the collapsed section of the highway appeared to have given way, exacerbating the severity of the incident.