Expressway Collapse in Meizhou, Guangdong Province
On May 1, 2024, a tragic accident occurred on the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway in Meizhou, Guangdong Province, China. A section of the expressway collapsed, causing 20 vehicles to plunge and resulting in the deaths of 24 people.
The incident happened around 2:10 a.m. The collapsed section was 17.9 meters long and covered an area of 184.3 square meters. Another 30 people were injured and received hospital treatment, with none in life-threatening condition.
Investigation and Assessment Report
An investigation and assessment report on the disaster was released on May 1, 2024. The report concluded that the collapse was caused by a landslide triggered by prolonged continuous rainfall and the combined effect of multiple factors. The landslide occurred in the Chayang section of the expressway, causing half of the roadbed in the eastbound direction to collapse.
The report also identified several contributing factors, including problems with engineering survey, design, construction, supervision, acceptance, operation, and maintenance. These issues affected the roadbed's ability to withstand such disasters.
Key Lessons and Measures
Insufficient attention to high-fill embankment risks
Inadequate awareness of prolonged rainfall hazards
Weak groundwater prevention and monitoring
Gaps in construction and maintenance management
Overlapping regulatory responsibilities leading to ineffective supervision
Enhance weather preparedness
Improve roadbed safety
Strengthen lifecycle management
Boost risk monitoring
Raise societal risk awareness and self-rescue capabilities
6 Comments
Eugene Alta
This report raises serious questions about the quality of construction and maintenance of our infrastructure. We need a thorough nationwide review.
Noir Black
The report encourages a culture of safety and accountability within the construction and infrastructure management sectors.
Eugene Alta
This report only exposes the tip of the iceberg. We need a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and bring justice to the victims.
Loubianka
The collaboration between government agencies and stakeholders to implement the report's recommendations is essential for success.
Donatello
It's encouraging to see the government taking proactive steps to address the issues identified in the report. This shows a commitment to public safety.
Leonardo
This is a wake-up call for everyone to prioritize safety and invest in resilient infrastructure. We cannot afford to repeat this tragedy.