Highway Collapse in Southern China Leaves 19 People Dead and Dozens Trapped

Published: 01 May 2024 at 06:20

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At least 19 people have been confirmed dead and 30 are receiving emergency care in hospital after a 17.9-meter section of the S12 highway in Guangdong province collapsed, trapping 18 vehicles. Local authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse, which occurred around 2:10 am, with no passengers buses or dangerous chemicals involved. Rescue operations involving about 500 personnel are ongoing in the aftermath of the incident.

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2024 Guangdong floods (Wikipedia)

In April 2024, heavy rains caused floods in China, mainly affecting Guangdong Province.In Guangdong Province, at least four deaths were confirmed, while 10 people were missing. As many as 110,000 people were evacuated. Tens of millions of people were reported affected.Landslides in Shaoguan caused by heavy downpours, have injured six people and 80 houses were damaged, leading to a loss of around 140 million yuan.

Deadly Tornado Hits City in Southern China

A tornado struck Guangzhou, China, killing at least five people and injuring dozens, with 141 factories damaged. The extreme weather caused devastation in Guangdong province, home to 127 million and numerous factories. Tornadoes are not uncommon in China, with previous incidents causing casualties in different provinces.

Four sailors missing after vessel collides in Guangdong

Rescue workers were still racing against time to search for the missing crew members who were washed away after their vessel collided with a bridge pier in Foshan, Guangdong province, as of Tuesday noon. The maritime accident took place on Monday night when a seagoing vessel with 11 sailors on board collided with the anti-collision pier of Jiujiang Bridge on G240 national highway in Foshan's Nanhai district at about 9:20 pm Monday, according to Zhan Qianshang, director of Foshan Nanhai District Maritime Safety Bureau. The vessel later sank at 11:40 pm Monday. Zhan said the accident occurred due to the improper operation of the crew on board. Due to the continuous rainstorm for several days, the river's water level was high and flowing fast when the accident happened, he said.

Heavy rainstorms in southern China kill at least four people and displace thousands

Heavy rainstorms in southern China over the weekend led to the deaths of at least four people in riverside cities, with three deaths in Zhaoqing city and one in Shaoguan city. About 110,000 people have been evacuated in Guangdong province, with 25,800 in emergency shelters. Guangzhou recorded the highest monthly rainfall since 1959. The Central Meteorological Observatory issued a rainstorm warning for southern China, including Guangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian provinces. Floods also affected Jiangxi province, with 459 people evacuated.

Heavy Rainstorms in Guangdong Province of South China Cause Flooding and Displacement of Thousands

Heavy rainstorms in Guangdong province of southern China have led to four deaths and displaced over 53,000 people, with significant damages reported in cities like Zhaoqing, Shaoguan, and Guangzhou. Over 110,000 individuals have been relocated, with economic losses exceeding 140 million yuan. Water levels in the Beijiang River reached flood stage, and the Pearl River basin saw elevated water levels. Forecasters predict a 50 to 80 percent increase in rainfall in South and Southwest China compared to last year. Rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities issuing a yellow alert for rainstorms.

Guangzhou tornado proves severe, bureau warns extreme weather to persist

Preliminary assessment has indicated that the intensity of the tornado that struck Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, on Saturday reached the level of a strong tornado, Guangdong provincial meteorological bureau said in a statement on Sunday. The bureau has organized a team of experts to conduct on-site disaster investigation and carry out a preliminary investigation of more than 1.7 kilometers of the tornado's impact path, with a maximum impact width of about 280 meters, it said. The tornado, which mainly hit the city's Baiyun district at about 3:30 pm on Saturday, has caused five deaths and 33 other injures. Meanwhile a total of 141 factory and residential houses were destroyed or damaged by the disaster, according to a statement released by Guangzhou's Baiyun district.

Severe Floods Expected in Southern China Due to Heavy Rains

State media in China reported that severe floods, described as "seen around once a century," are anticipated in parts of southern China, particularly in Guangdong province, due to heavy rains. Aerial footage showed flood waters close to street level in some towns, with warnings of major storms in coastal areas. Authorities in Guangdong have initiated a level-three emergency response. The Pearl River Delta, densely populated with around 127 million people, is at risk. Adjacent provinces like Jiangxi and Fujian are also forecasted to experience severe rainstorms.