The collapse of a highway section in Meizhou City, Guangdong, under the stress of torrential rain, leads to a tragic toll of at least 48 dead and numerous vehicles plunged into a ravine.
In the early hours of a storm-laden Wednesday, disaster struck in southern China when a segment of a highway in Meizhou City, Guangdong Province, tragically collapsed. This calamity claimed the lives of at least 48 individuals as cars were sent tumbling into a deep pit formed by the sudden failure of the road.
Around 2 AM local time, relentless rainfall led to the caving-in of a 59-foot-long portion of the highway, which sent 23 vehicles crashing down a slope into chaos. While the city government of Meizhou confirmed these details, they also reported on three other victims yet to be identified, with ongoing DNA tests needed to confirm their status, potentially raising the death toll to 51.
The collapse occurred amid extreme weather conditions that have battered the region, with 30 individuals reported injured, fortunately with none facing life-threatening conditions. Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture: a loud crash followed by the sight of an expanding void where the road once lay, all occurring just moments after these drivers had passed the ill-fated section.
Rescue operations have been intensely challenging due to adverse weather, further complicated by ongoing landslides and a dire scene marked by smoke and flames at the collapse site. Despite these conditions, over 500 rescue personnel from various emergency services have been deployed, striving against the elements and the terrain to locate and assist survivors.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of severe weather impacting Guangdong, which has suffered from unprecedented rainfall and flooding in recent weeks, resulting in significant displacement and additional fatalities from related events like a recent tornado in Guangzhou.
Local authorities and the national government are on high alert, with forecasts predicting continued heavy rains. The Ministry of Emergency Management has emphasized the heightened risk of further disasters, making ongoing vigilance and preparedness essential.
As the community reels from this tragedy and the continuing threats posed by the weather, the focus remains on rescue efforts and supporting the affected families, while also bracing for more challenges that the unpredictable climate may bring.
(Associated Medias) – All rights reserved.