Death toll in China highway collapse reaches 48

A collapsed section of a highway is seen near Meizhou, in southern China's Guangdong province, May 1, 2024. [AFP]

Chinese officials say the death toll from a collapsed highway in southeastern Guangdong province rose to 48 on Thursday, some 24 hours after a section of the four-lane mountainous pass buckled in the wake of record rainfall and flooding, sending 23 vehicles tumbling down a steep slope with some bursting into flames.

Three people remained unidentified, pending DNA testing, according to a local official in Meizhou City. It was not immediately clear if they died, which would bring the death toll to 51. At least 30 other people had non-life-threatening injuries.