At least 24 people died after part of an expressway collapsed in south China's Guangdong Province early on Wednesday morning. 

Another 30 people are receiving treatment in hospitals, with no one in life-threatening condition, according to the government of the province's Meizhou city.

The collapse caused 20 vehicles to plunge, local authorities said.

The incident happened around 2:10 a.m. on the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway in Meizhou. The collapsed section is 17.9 meters long and covers an area of 184.3 square meters, officials said.

Aerial photos show one side of the expressway caved in, causing vehicles to roll down a slope.

The accident did not involve any large vehicles or vehicles transporting hazardous chemicals, according to officials.

The Ministry of Emergency Management has sent a working group to the site to guide rescue efforts.

(With input from Xinhua)