Officials in southeastern Guangdong province, China, reported a tragic increase in the death toll following the collapse of a highway. The toll rose to 48 as rescue efforts continued amid challenging conditions exacerbated by heavy rainfall and flooding. The collapse, which occurred in Meizhou City, saw a section of the four-lane pass buckle, causing 23 vehicles to plunge down a steep slope, some catching fire.
Identifying victims remained a priority, with three individuals awaiting DNA testing to confirm their identities. Uncertainty lingered regarding their fate, which could potentially raise the death toll to 51. Additionally, around 30 individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries from the incident.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly for a second consecutive day, navigating treacherous terrain and employing construction cranes to extract damaged vehicles. The adverse weather conditions, coupled with the large number of affected vehicles, posed significant challenges to the rescue operation. Over 570 personnel and 80 rescue vehicles were mobilized to support the mission.
Meizhou, already grappling with heavy rainfall in recent weeks, faced further devastation from mudslides and flooding. The saturated soil heightened the risk of secondary disasters during the rescue efforts, according to local officials.
The tragedy in Guangdong adds to the region’s woes, as it copes with record rainfall, hailstorms, and flooding in recent weeks. Just days earlier, a tornado claimed five lives in the provincial capital amid severe storms.