A section of a highway collapsed in Meizhou, China, after heavy rains, leading to the death of at least 36 people. The collapse occurred in a mountainous area, causing cars to tumble down the slope. Rescue efforts were hampered by rain, gravel, and soil falling at the site. The search was divided into 10 grids, with dogs and life-detecting devices used to locate victims. Excavators and cranes were deployed to aid in the rescue operation. Witnesses described hearing a loud noise and seeing a wide hole open up behind them after passing the section that collapsed.
The area affected by the collapse left a barren scar down a steep slope in an otherwise green forested area. Video and photos showed smoke and fire at the scene, with a highway guardrail leaning into the flames. A pile of blackened cars could be seen on the slope, and a construction crane was shown lowering a mangled car to the road surface. Over 22 inches of rain had fallen in the county in the past four weeks, leading to flooding in the area. Parts of Guangdong province had seen record rains and flooding, with a tornado killing five people in the provincial capital.
Heavy rain and flooding pose a particular risk to mountain roadways and highway bridges in China due to erosion, debris flows, and landslides. The country has invested significantly in infrastructure in recent years, but flaws in design and construction methods have been highlighted, while maintenance and inspections have sometimes been neglected. Dozens have died in tunnel collapses and floods, with incidents of subway train drownings occurring during massive flooding in recent years. China’s overseas projects under the Belt and Road Initiative have also faced criticism for design problems and poor quality.
The collapse of the highway in Meizhou highlights the challenges that China faces in maintaining its infrastructure amid extreme weather conditions. Despite its advancements in building highways, railways, and airports, issues with design, construction, and maintenance persist, leading to accidents and fatalities. The government’s response to the collapse will be closely watched, as efforts to improve infrastructure safety and quality are crucial for China’s development and its global influence. As China continues to expand its infrastructure domestically and internationally, addressing these challenges will be key to ensuring the safety and reliability of its projects.
