MEIZHOU, CHINA – A catastrophic highway collapse in southern China has resulted in at least 36 fatalities, following a deluge of heavy rainfall in the mountainous region. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when a 58.7-foot section of the highway gave way, causing 23 vehicles to plunge down a slope, as per the Meizhou city government’s statement on Thursday.
In addition to the tragic loss of life, approximately 30 individuals sustained injuries, none of which were deemed life-threatening. Rescue efforts were hampered by continuous rainfall and the risk of further landslides, with soil and gravel posing a significant danger to the emergency workers on site.
Despite the challenging conditions, rescue teams partitioned the area into ten sections, utilizing search dogs and life-detection equipment in their efforts to locate survivors. Heavy machinery, including excavators and cranes, was also deployed to aid in the search and rescue operation.
Eyewitnesses recounted hearing a loud noise followed by the sudden appearance of a gaping hole behind them, moments after they had driven past the doomed section of the highway. Subsequent images and videos from the scene depicted a horrific tableau of smoke, fire, and a pile of charred vehicles at the base of the slope.
The area has been grappling with severe weather conditions, with over 22 inches of rainfall recorded in the past month – a figure that is quadruple the amount from the previous year. This excessive rainfall has led to flooding in some parts of Meizhou, exacerbating the situation.
The province of Guangdong has been hit particularly hard, witnessing record rainfall, flooding, and hailstorms in the last fortnight. This has resulted in significant damage, including the loss of five lives due to a tornado in Guangzhou, the provincial capital.
The rapid expansion of China’s infrastructure in recent years has raised concerns about the quality and safety of construction methods. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers, particularly in mountainous regions where heavy rainfall can lead to landslides and erosion, posing a significant risk to highways and bridges.