A highway collapse in southern China has left 36 people dead, with rescue operations ongoing to extract vehicles from the site.
According to state news agency Xinhua, as of 5:30 am on May 2nd, 36 fatalities and 30 injuries had been reported, with the injured individuals reportedly not in critical condition.
The collapse occurred early Wednesday morning along the S12 highway between Meizhou City and Dabu County, coinciding with China’s busy May holidays, a peak travel period. Aerial photographs revealed the earth beneath the highway giving way, triggering a cascade of mud down the steep, forested hillside.
State broadcaster CCTV described the incident as a “natural geological disaster” exacerbated by heavy rain. Approximately 17.9 meters (58.7 feet) of the road collapsed, with 23 cars submerged in the muddy debris.
Eyewitnesses recounted hearing a loud explosion followed by the sounds of vehicles crashing.
In response, around 500 emergency personnel, including firefighters and mine rescue specialists, were mobilized to the scene. The highway was closed in both directions as rescue efforts commenced. Images showed a large crane lifting damaged cars from the mud, while excavators stood by. Rescue teams, aided by dogs and life-detecting equipment, conducted thorough searches.
However, challenges persisted due to shifting gravel and soil at the site, compounded by continuous rainfall, making the search operation hazardous for workers, as reported by a fire department official to Chinese media.
