- author, Joel Guinto
- role, bbc news
-
After days of heavy rain in China’s Guangdong province, a section of a mountainside highway collapsed, killing 24 people.
A total of 17.9 meters (58 feet) of the Meilong Expressway collapsed at 02:10 local time (19:10 BST) on Wednesday, sending 30 other people to hospital.
Authorities have not yet revealed the cause of the incident.
Images on state media showed large cracks in the forested mountainside below the highway.
The 30 people in hospital are “not at risk at this time,” state media reported. The state government sent 500 emergency responders to the scene.
State media initially reported that 19 people had been killed, but local authorities later said 24 people had died and the number of injured remained at 30.
Footage believed to have been taken shortly after the collapse showed flames and black smoke billowing from beneath the highway.
According to authorities, a total of 20 vehicles fell into the collapsed section of the road.
Another video reported by state media showed a charred car partially covered in mud and smoking.
Floods damaged dozens of homes, closed schools and caused flight cancellations and delays. Authorities estimate economic losses at 140.6 million yuan ($19.4 million, £15.5 million).
As the stormy weather continued over the weekend, a tornado struck a factory area in the provincial capital, Guangzhou, killing five people and injuring 33 others.
Hail the size of golf balls was also seen falling over the city.
