A section of a highway in Guangdong province, China, collapsed, resulting in the loss of 24 lives.

The Meizhou-Dabu Expressway was severely affected by the natural disaster, with cars tumbling down a slope and causing significant destruction.

The collapse occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, following several days of intense rain in the mountainous region.

The Meizhou city government reported that a 17.9-meter (58.7-foot) section of the highway gave way, leading to the tragic event.

Rescue efforts were immediately initiated, and authorities confirmed that 23 vehicles were found at the site.

Around 30 individuals sustained injuries, although none were life-threatening, according to a government statement.

The rescue operation faced numerous challenges due to the continuous rainfall and the presence of gravel and soil at the scene, which posed risks to the safety of the rescue workers.

To facilitate the search effort, the area was divided into 10 grids, and search teams utilized dogs and life-detecting devices.

Excavators and cranes were also deployed to aid in the rescue operations.

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The collapsed section of the highway left a visible scar on the steep slope, surrounded by lush green forests.

Witnesses who had passed the area just before the collapse reported hearing a loud noise and witnessing a wide hole opening up behind them.

The slope leading down from the highway was littered with charred vehicles, creating a harrowing sight.

The region where the collapse occurred had experienced a cumulative rainfall of over 56 centimeters (22 inches), more than four times the amount compared to the previous year.

Some villages in Meizhou had already been affected by flooding in early April, and heavy rain persisted in the area in recent days.

Guangdong province as a whole has been grappling with record-breaking rainfall and flooding, along with instances of hail. Just last weekend, a tornado in the provincial capital, Guangzhou, claimed the lives of five individuals.