In a tragic turn of events, a segment of a highway collapsed in southern China, leading to the loss of at least 19 lives, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Meizhou City, Guangdong province, where a 17.9-meter-long section of the road suddenly gave way in the early hours of the morning.
Eyewitnesses who had recently traversed the area described hearing a loud noise preceding the collapse, with some narrowly escaping the ensuing chaos. The collapse resulted in the entrapment of 18 vehicles, exacerbating the severity of the situation.
Videos circulating from the scene depicted scenes of smoke and fire, adding to the intensity of the catastrophe. Emergency responders, totaling approximately 500 individuals, were swiftly deployed to assist in the rescue efforts. These responders hailed from various specialized departments, including public security, emergency response, firefighting, and mining rescue.
As rescue operations continue, the community is left grappling with the enormity of the tragedy, mourning the lives lost and hoping for the swift recovery of the injured.
