A highway section in Meizhou, Guangdong Province, China, catastrophically collapsed early Wednesday, causing at least 24 fatalities as reported by China’s state media.
The collapse, which occurred around 2 a.m., led to eighteen vehicles plunging down a slope after a 59-foot segment of the road gave way. Rescue operations are ongoing, with published aerial images showing extensive emergency efforts at the disaster site.
Recent weeks have seen record rainfall and flooding in the region, factors that might have contributed to the structural failure of the highway.
Witnesses described hearing a loud noise and observing the road open up into a gaping hole moments before the collapse, while media visuals depicted the chaotic aftermath marked by smoke and fire. Currently, over 30 individuals have been hospitalized following the incident.
