According to state media reports, the death toll from the collapse of a section of the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway in Guangdong province has climbed to 48. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, marked the first day of the five-day May Day holiday break in China, a time when millions of people were traveling across the country.
The collapse of the expressway was prompted by heavy rain, with approximately 17.9 meters of the road giving way and causing 23 vehicles to plunge down the slope. In addition to the fatalities, 30 individuals sustained injuries as a result of the incident. The area of Meizhou, where the collapse took place, had been experiencing severe weather conditions including heavy rain and hail since late April, leading to dangerous mudslides, flooding, and infrastructure damage.
Efforts to conduct rescue operations at the site were challenging due to some vehicles being deeply buried in the mud after the collapse. Video footage shared by state media depicted the aftermath of the incident, showing a twisted metal guardrail, a large hole in the forested area where the road collapsed, and rescue teams utilizing cranes and excavators to access the scene. Additionally, reports of vehicles catching fire during the incident surfaced on social media platforms, further highlighting the severity of the situation.