Thirteen workers are missing following a collapse at a construction site for the Shenzhen-Jiangmen railway in southern China, local authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The incident occurred around 11 p.m. local time on Wednesday when the ground beneath a section of the railway project in Shenzhen’s Bao’an District suddenly gave way, according to a statement from the district’s emergency management bureau.
Search and rescue efforts were underway as of Thursday morning, with officials investigating the cause of the collapse.
Authorities have evacuated residents living near the site as a precaution.
In support of rescue operations, major expressways close to the construction area were closed early Thursday, city officials said.
The collapsed section is part of the Shenzhen-Jiangmen railway, a major infrastructure project in Guangdong province.
Construction began in 2022, with the railway set to enhance connectivity across the region.
Industrial accidents remain common in China due to inconsistent enforcement of regulations and safety protocols.
In August, a mining accident in Sichuan province resulted in eight deaths.
A gas explosion in Hebei province killed seven people and injured dozens in March.
In February, a fire in Nanjing claimed 15 lives in a residential building.
Authorities have pledged to investigate the Shenzhen incident thoroughly and ensure all necessary safety measures are implemented to prevent future tragedies.
