Guangdong Province Launches Probe into Deadly Expressway Collapse

The Guangdong provincial government has set up an investigation team led by the provincial governor to probe the deadly expressway collapse that occurred on Wednesday in Meizhou city, South China. The incident on the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway around 2:10 am killed at least 48 people and injured 30 others, with three more bodies yet to be identified through DNA testing.

Why this matters: The investigation into the expressway collapse highlights the need for improved infrastructure safety and disaster preparedness in China, particularly during extreme weather conditions. The incident also underscores the importance of swift government response and effectivecrisis management to minimize casualties and ensure public trust.

The accident happened after a month of heavy rains in the region, with over 56 centimeters (22 inches) of rain falling in the past four weeks in the county where the roadway collapsed, more than four times as much as last year. Twenty-three vehicles plunged into a deep ravine, with some bursting into flames and sending up thick clouds of smoke.

In response to the tragedy, the Chinese government dispatched Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing to oversee recovery efforts. Zhang, a member of the ruling Communist Party's leading bodies, "stressed sparing no effort in carrying out rescue and relief work," according to the Xinhua News Agency. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang have called for swift handling of the incident.

Rescue operations and disaster relief efforts are ongoing, with teams working in shifts to ensure continuous equipment operations. Medical experts have been deployed to Chayang, with seven teams of 34 mental health experts conducting psychological crisis interventions for hospitalized patients, their families, and rescuers. Locals in Meizhou spontaneously donated blood, forming long queues to help out late into the night.

Amidst the tragedy, stories of heroic actions have emerged. Liu Yongjin, a survivor of the accident, risked his life to rescue six individuals, including three adults and three children. When asked if he was frightened during the rescue operations, Liu replied: "At first, I was scared, my legs were shaking, but once I started doing it, I wasn't afraid anymore. I just continued doing what I believed I should do."

Another heroic account involves a driver, Rao, who spotted a dark area ahead on the expressway and quickly switched lanes to avoid the disaster. His family members helped to alert other oncoming vehicles, but tragically witnessed vehicles fall into the crater one by one.

The Ministry of Emergency Management has issued an urgent circular urging officials to draw lessons from the road collapse and take concrete measures to prevent similar accidents. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has called for closer monitoring of weather patterns during the annual summer flooding season and for an improvement in early warning systems and response times.

The full extent of the damage and the cause of the collapse are still unknown, but the investigation team led by the provincial governor is working to determine the cause of the accident. The Meizhou city government announced that authorities would conduct citywide checks on expressways, railways, and roads in mountainous areas. As the investigation continues, the Chinese government aims to draw lessons from the collapse and improve disaster prevention and response capabilities to ensure the safety of people's lives and property.

Key Takeaways

• At least 48 people killed, 30 injured in expressway collapse in Meizhou, China.
• Heavy rains in the region may have contributed to the collapse.
• Chinese government dispatches Vice Premier to oversee recovery efforts.
• Investigation team led by provincial governor to determine cause of accident.
• Government aims to improve disaster prevention and response capabilities.