Part of Highway Collapses in Southern China, Resulting in 19 Deaths
Written by Jerry Alomatu on May 1, 2024
No fewer than 19 individuals lost their lives in southern China’s Guangdong province when a section of a highway collapsed early Wednesday, as reported by state media.
The incident occurred around 2:10 am (1810 GMT Tuesday) between Meizhou city and Dabu county, where a stretch of road caved in, trapping 18 vehicles and involving a total of 49 people, according to CCTV.
As of 11:45 am, the broadcaster confirmed 19 fatalities, with 30 individuals currently receiving intensive medical care in hospitals. While their injuries were not specified, their lives were reportedly not in immediate danger.
Social media footage displayed a chaotic scene of wrecked vehicles amid a deep muddy pit, with flames visible in some clips. Emergency responders, including firefighters and rescue teams, were seen around the area, enforcing a cordon and managing the situation.
Around 500 personnel from various departments, including public security, emergency response, firefighting, and mining rescue, have been mobilized to aid in the rescue operation, as per CCTV reports.
In response to the incident, local authorities issued a notice, closing part of the S12 highway in both directions and directing drivers to take alternative routes.
This tragedy adds to a series of recent disasters in Guangdong, which has been grappling with heavy rains leading to fatal floods in certain regions. Just last week, a tornado claimed five lives in the megacity of Guangzhou.
While the cause of the highway collapse remains under investigation, it highlights broader safety concerns within China’s transportation infrastructure, compounded by challenging terrains and extreme weather conditions.
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