MEIZHOU, China – A tragic incident unfolded in southeastern China on Wednesday as a significant portion of a highway collapsed, resulting in the deaths of at least 48 people. The collapse occurred in the city of Meizhou, which has been battered by heavy rainfall for the past month, according to local officials.
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to locate survivors and recover bodies from the wreckage. Approximately two dozen vehicles were sent tumbling down a steep incline, causing a fiery catastrophe. Wen Yongdeng, the city’s emergency management Communist Party secretary, noted that the majority of the vehicles were engulfed by soil during the collapse, and the rescue operation has been further complicated by the fires that broke out in some of the affected vehicles.
The four-lane freeway collapse has also left at least 30 people injured. Despite the ongoing rainfall and the threat of landslides, rescue teams are deploying cranes to assist in the search and recovery efforts. However, the inclement weather is posing significant challenges.
This devastating incident occurred on the first day of China’s five-day May Day holiday, a time when road travel typically increases. This tragic event has raised concerns about the safety of the country’s major roadways, especially in light of this recent disaster.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has responded to the incident by calling on all regions in the country to enhance their monitoring of major roads to prevent future disasters of this nature. This serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of infrastructure maintenance and monitoring, particularly in areas prone to extreme weather conditions.
The collapse of the highway in Meizhou is a tragic event that claimed the lives of at least 48 people and left many injured. Rescue operations are ongoing despite the challenges posed by heavy rainfall and the threat of landslides. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for increased monitoring of major roads to prevent similar disasters in the future. This incident highlights the need for proactive infrastructure maintenance and monitoring, especially in regions susceptible to extreme weather conditions.