Highway collapse kills 19 in Guangdong Province, China

A collapse of a section of the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway in southern China’s Guangdong Province early Wednesday morning kills at least 19

At least 19 people were killed when a section of a highway collapsed early Wednesday morning in southern China’s Guangdong Province.

The collapse occurred following heavy rainfall in the region in recent days.

The incident occurred at around 2:10 a.m. local time on a section of the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway in the city of Meizhou. 

According to reports the collapse trapped at least 18 vehicles.

Eyewitnesses told local media that after crossing the section of road just before the collapse, they heard a loud noise and observed a hole several meters wide opening up behind them.

Following the disaster, authorities closed the highway and launched a rescue operation, which is still ongoing.

The cause of the accident is under investigation as authorities try to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

Source: AP