At least 36 people died following the collapse of a highway in Guangdong province, southern China, according to a report released by the Chinese state news agency.
Xinhua reported that “36 people had died and 30 were injured.” On Wednesday, a report by authorities in the city of Meizhou showed 24 deaths.
Twenty-three vehicles were found in a ditch after a 17.9 meter long section of the highway collapsed, the local government said in a statement. Thirty people were injured, none life-threatening, the statement said. The accident occurred at 2 am on Wednesday (7 pm on Tuesday in Portugal).
The province of Guangdong, which borders Macau and Hong Kong, has been affected by heavy rains, flooding and hail in recent days.
Images published on social media and captured by the local press showed smoke and flames coming out of the ditch where the cars fell. The ground beneath the highway appears to have given way, along with the section that collapsed. Authorities announced that around 500 people were sent to help with rescue work. The reason for the collapse is not yet known.
