Move FM Global News

BEIJING, China: A tragic incident unfolded in southern China as heavy rains triggered a section of a highway to collapse, resulting in the death of at least 36 people and injuring dozens more.

The Meizhou city government reported that 23 vehicles were swept down a steep slope after a 17.9-meter (58.7-foot) segment of the highway gave way around 2 a.m. on May 1. Although 30 individuals sustained injuries, authorities confirmed that none were life-threatening.

According to a fire department official cited in Chinese media, persistent rain and gravel and soil dislodged at the site hindered rescue efforts and posed risks to workers. Teams divided the area into 10 grids and utilized dogs and life-detecting devices in the search operation. Excavators and cranes were also deployed to assist in the rescue mission.

The collapse left a stark scar on the landscape, with witnesses recounting hearing a loud noise before a wide hole opened up, swallowing vehicles that had passed moments earlier. Footage and images from the scene depicted smoke and fire, with a highway guardrail engulfed in flames and a pile of charred vehicles scattered down the slope.

The county where the incident occurred had experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall, totaling over 56 centimeters (22 inches) in the past four weeks, more than four times the amount from the previous year. Meizhou had already faced flooding in early April, compounded by recent days of intense rain.

Parts of Guangdong province, including Guangzhou, witnessed record rains, flooding, and even a fatal tornado. The region’s mountainous terrain makes it susceptible to erosion, debris flows, and landslides during heavy rainfall, posing heightened risks to infrastructure.

While China has made significant strides in infrastructure development, concerns over design flaws and construction quality have emerged. Incidents such as tunnel collapses and floods have led to fatalities, prompting scrutiny over maintenance practices and adherence to safety protocols.

Criticism has also been directed at China’s Belt and Road Initiative, with overseas projects facing scrutiny for design deficiencies and substandard construction, raising questions about the country’s influence in the global arena.