In a tragic incident that unfolded early Wednesday morning, at least 48 people lost their lives when a large section of a highway in southeastern China collapsed. The four-lane freeway, located in the city of Meizhou, gave way after a month of torrential rains, causing nearly two dozen vehicles to plummet down a steep slope and erupt into flames.

According to Wen Yongdeng, the Communist Party secretary for emergency management in the city, most of the vehicles were buried in soil during the collapse, making the rescue operation extremely challenging. The presence of fire further escalated the difficulty. At least 30 individuals were also injured in the incident.

Rescue workers swiftly mobilized cranes to search for survivors or retrieve the bodies of the victims, buried under the muddy terrain. However, their efforts have been hindered by continuing rainfall and the looming threat of landslides. Over the past four weeks, the region has experienced more than 22 inches of rainfall, exacerbating the already treacherous situation.

Adding to the unfortunate circumstances is the fact that the collapse occurred on the first day of China's five-day May Day holiday, during which more travelers hit the roads. With increased traffic on the highways, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for enhanced monitoring of major roadways across the country to prevent future tragedies.

The highway collapse in southeastern China serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of natural disasters and the importance of infrastructure maintenance and safety measures. As rescue efforts continue under arduous conditions, the nation mourns the loss of 48 lives and hopes for a swift recovery for those injured in the incident.