Expressway Collapse in Southern China: At Least 24 Dead and 30 Injured
A tragic incident occurred on the morning of May 1, 2024, when a section of an expressway in Meizhou, Guangdong Province, China collapsed due to heavy rain and a landslide. The collapse resulted in at least 24 fatalities and left over 30 people injured.
The incident occurred on the eastern outskirts of Meizhou city, a major industrial hub and the most populous province in China. The section of expressway that collapsed was part of a highway connecting Meizhou to Fujian Province, which was especially busy due to the start of a five-day national holiday.
According to reports from Xinhua News Agency and other sources, the collapse occurred around 2:00 am local time. The cause of the collapse was attributed to heavy rain that had been affecting Guangdong Province for several days, leading to a landslide that engulfed two lanes of the expressway.
Rescue efforts were immediately initiated with over 500 rescuers deployed to the site. Traffic in both directions was sealed off as emergency services worked to extract survivors from their vehicles and provide medical assistance.
The same expressway had been briefly closed in April 2023 due to a landslide, but no deaths or injuries were reported at that time.
Guangdong Province has experienced severe weather conditions for the past two months, with orange warnings issued multiple times. The province is known for its rugged terrain and hilly areas, making it prone to landslides during heavy rain.
The collapse of the expressway is just one of several disasters that have hit Guangdong Province in recent weeks due to extreme weather events. Other incidents include tornadoes, power line destruction, house collapses, and evacuations of entire townships.
Guangdong is a key industrial hub and has been dubbed the 'factory floor of the world.' The province is home to many major industries and manufacturing centers that contribute significantly to China's economy. The collapse of the expressway is expected to have a significant impact on transportation in the region.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of infrastructure maintenance and preparedness during extreme weather events. It also highlights the need for diversified sources of information and an unbiased approach to reporting on such incidents.
