BEIJING – At least 24 people were killed when a section of a highway collapsed in southern China early Wednesday, causing cars to overturn, state media said.
Officials in Meizhou, Guangdong province, said a 58.7-foot-long section of the highway collapsed, knocking 18 cars down the slope. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. (2 p.m. ET Tuesday).
The death toll rose to 24 by Wednesday afternoon local time, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua.
Parts of Guangdong province have experienced record rainfall, flooding and even hail over the past two weeks. Some villages in Meizhou experienced flooding in early April, and the city has experienced heavy rain in recent days.
Witnesses told local media they heard a loud bang and saw a hole several yards wide behind them after driving past the section of road just before it collapsed.
Video and photos from local media showed smoke and fire at the scene, with the highway rail tilting downward into the flames. A pile of black cars could be seen on the slope going down from the expressway.
The ground beneath the expressway caved in, and parts of the road appeared to be cut off.
Rescue workers took 30 people to hospital, state broadcaster CCTV said.
