Tragic toll rises to 48 in Guangdong highway collapse disaster

A section of the highway near Meizhou collapsed on Wednesday, May 1st, in the early morning hours of Greenwich Time. During the rescue operation, it was determined that 23 vehicles had fallen into a deep sinkhole.

On the morning of May 1st, the Chinese public broadcaster CCTV reported that 49 people were involved in the incident, out of which 19 were confirmed dead. Unfortunately, these numbers increased over time.

The next day, that is, on May 2nd in the morning, it was announced that the death toll from the highway section collapse had escalated to 36. According to the latest data, 48 people have died. Meanwhile, 30 passengers were injured. As reported by the Xinjingbao portal, their lives are not in danger.

Photos showcasing the gigantic sinkhole and the ongoing rescue operation were shared on social media, including on the X service. Due to the terrain's location and the large number of cars that fell into one place, the rescue efforts have been significantly challenging. A fire broke out at the scene, further complicating the operation.

In recent weeks, the Guangdong province has been hit by a series of violent weather phenomena, from major floods to destructive tornadoes. Record rainfall and hailstorms have also been mentioned. Some villages around Meizhou were flooded in April, and in recent days, the city has again reported heavy rains. At least four people, including one rescuer, have died in the floods in Guangdong province. At least ten people are still considered missing.