At least 36 people were killed in a mountainous region in southern China when a section of highway collapsed after heavy rains on Wednesday. Another 30 people are injured. With reference to the Chinese authorities, the AP reported about it on Thursday. The previous balance spoke of 24 dead.
Peking
6:31 am May 2, 2024
Share on Facebook
Share on LinkedIn
Print
Copy the url address
Abbreviated address
Copy to clipboard
Close
In China, a highway collapsed after the downpour | Photo: Mei Zi/VCG | Source: Reuters
The accident, in which a 17.9-meter-long highway section collapsed, occurred in Guangdong province at around 2:00 a.m. local time (20:00 CEST Tuesday), authorities in the city of Meizhou said earlier. 23 vehicles remained trapped in the sunken part of the road. None of the 30 injured are in danger, the Chinese government said.
The search work was complicated even during Thursday by the downpour and the risk of loosening more soil. Rescue teams are searching the place, dog handlers are on site. Excavators and cranes help with clearing.
A section of the highway between Meizhou City and Tapu County appears to have collapsed when the ground beneath it gave way. Witnesses told local media that they heard a loud noise and when they looked back, they saw a huge pit behind them. Videos and pictures from the scene of the accident showed fire and smoke, as well as a pile of blackened pieces of vehicles.
El Niño is contributing to the warming, but it should subside. When it ends, the deviations will be smaller, says the meteorologist
Read the article
China’s state broadcaster CCTV said the collapse was a “natural disaster” caused “under the influence of persistent heavy rain”, according to AFP.
The province of Guangdong, which lies on the southeast coast of China, has been hit by record-breaking downpours and floods in the past two weeks. Last week, the 18 million-strong metropolis of Canton was hit by a tornado, which left five dead and over three dozen injured.
CTK
Share on Facebook
Share on LinkedIn
Print
Copy the url address
Abbreviated address
Copy to clipboard
Close
