A section of a highway in Guangdong province, southern China, collapsed in the early hours of Wednesday, May 1, leading to the confirmed deaths of at least 48 individuals.
The disaster struck around 2:10 a.m. on the S12 highway that links Meizhou City and Dabu County.
Around 23 vehicles were caught in the disaster when a 59-foot portion of the road gave way, sending them tumbling down an embankment and trapping many people inside their vehicles.
China’s State broadcaster Xinhua reported the death toll had risen to 48 by Thursday afternoon. In addition, 30 individuals were given emergency medical treatment at nearby hospitals, none of whom were in life-threatening condition.
“Reporters understand from a press conference held by the city of Meizhou, Guangdong, that the highway collapse disaster… has led to the deaths of 48 people,” Xinhua reported on Thursday afternoon.
Images released from the site depicted a pile of cars at the base of the collapsed highway section, with smoke and flames billowing from the wreckage. Nearly 500 emergency response personnel were mobilized to assist with the rescue operations. The affected highway stretch was shut down and drivers were directed towards alternative routes.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise before a gaping hole appeared in the section of the highway they had just traversed. Local media described scenes of mangled guardrails and vehicles immersed in a deep pit following the highway collapse.
Despite the catastrophic incident, the quick response by emergency teams has been applauded. These teams have ensured immediate medical care for survivors. The process of recovering and identifying the deceased is still ongoing and is expected to continue over the next few days.
President Xi Jinping instructed officials on Thursday, as reported by CCTV, to go all out in conducting rescue operations and providing care for the injured. He also stressed the need to swiftly address and manage any potential risks or undetected hazards.
While the exact cause of the collapse has not been officially ascertained, it is widely speculated that heavy rains and subsequent flooding in recent weeks played a significant role. Preliminary reports suggest a “natural geological disaster” induced by relentless torrential rains. In the past fortnight, parts of Guangdong province have been battered by unprecedented rainfall and flooding, along with hail, leading to four fatalities and the forced evacuation of over 100,000 individuals. A tornado in Guangzhou, the provincial capital, claimed five lives at the end of April
Excessive rainfall and subsequent floods often pose unique challenges to roads in mountainous regions and highway bridges due to erosion, debris accumulation, and landslides. In recent years, China has massively expanded its infrastructure, integrating over a million bridges into its highways, establishing the largest network of rapid trains globally, and constructing numerous new airports.