Death Toll Rises to 48 in China Highway Collapse After Heavy Rains

Death toll has risen to 48 after a section of a highway in southern China's Guangdong province collapsed on Wednesday after heavy rains.

The 17.9-meter (58.7-foot) long section of the highway in Meizhou city gave way around 2 a.m., causing 23 vehicles to tumble down a steep slope.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, with authorities recovering 23 vehicles and reporting that 30 other people sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Over 500 rescuers have been deployed to the site, and the injured are receiving emergency care at a hospital. "The provincial government has mobilized specialized forces to carry out search and rescue operations," according to a statement from the Guangdong provincial government.

The highway collapse was caused by the heavy rains in the mountainous area. Guangdong province has been experiencing record rainfall and flooding in the past two weeks, forcing over 110,000 people to relocate. A rare tornado and hailstorm also struck the provincial capital of Guangzhou last weekend, killing five people and injuring 33.

Why this matters: The incident highlights the need for improved infrastructure maintenance and disaster preparedness in the face of extreme weather events. As climate change intensifies rainfall and flooding, the risk of disasters like this highway collapse increases, particularly in regions with challenging terrain and vulnerable infrastructure.

President Xi Jinping has ordered officials to prioritize rescue efforts, provide medical treatment for the injured, and investigate the incident to prevent similar accidents in the future. The Ministry of Emergency Management and the Ministry of Transport have dispatched working groups to the scene to oversee the rescue and recovery operations. "Authorities have warned of the possibility of further disasters due to the intensified downpours expected in the region throughout May," according to the Guangdong provincial government.

Key Takeaways

• Highway section collapsed in China's Guangdong, killing 48 and injuring dozens.
• Rescue efforts ongoing, with over 500 rescuers deployed and injured receiving care.
• Collapse caused by heavy rains, as Guangdong faces record rainfall and flooding.
• Incident highlights need for improved infrastructure maintenance and disaster preparedness.
• Authorities investigating the incident and warning of further disasters due to heavy rains.