Southern China highway collapse results in at least 24 fatalities | Global News

At least 24 people tragically lost their lives after a section of a highway collapsed in southern China’s Guangdong province due to heavy rains. The incident occurred between Meizhou city and Dabu county, with 20 vehicles becoming trapped and a total of 54 people involved in the disaster.

State news agency Xinhua reported that as of 3:00 pm, 24 people had been confirmed dead, while 30 others were receiving emergency care in the hospital. The downpours in Guangdong have been unusually heavy for this time of year and have been linked to accelerating climate change.

An aerial photograph showed the wreckage of vehicles in a deep muddy pit where the highway once stood. Emergency vehicles and cranes were on site, and videos circulating on social media depicted flames and smoke rising from the collapsed section of the road.

Authorities have mobilized around 500 people from various departments to assist with the rescue operation. The incident is just one in a series of disasters in Guangdong caused by extreme weather events, including floods and a tornado that claimed lives and caused widespread damage.

The province has experienced unprecedented levels of flooding, prompting experts to attribute the severe weather to intensifying climate change. China, as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has committed to reducing emissions to net zero by 2060 in an effort to combat climate change.