A massive sinkhole opened up on a busy street in Seoul, South Korea, swallowing a motorcycle and sending its rider tumbling in. The dramatic incident occurred on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 6:29 pm local time, near an elementary school in the Gangdong district, eastern Seoul.
Sinkhole Swallows Motorcycle
The sinkhole, estimated to be around 20 meters wide, suddenly appeared on the road, catching motorists off guard. A motorcyclist who was driving by fell into the hole as the road gave way beneath him. Emergency responders rushed to the scene and managed to rescue the rider, who was taken to the hospital with injuries.
Seoul’s Mayor, Oh Se-hoon, swiftly ordered urgent safety measures to prevent further accidents and injuries. He noted that the sinkhole had affected four out of six lanes of traffic and was likely to expand.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the sinkhole and assessing the potential risk to surrounding infrastructure. This is crucial in preventing similar incidents from happening in the future.
As the situation unfolds, the city’s emergency services remain on high alert, working to ensure public safety and minimize disruptions to daily life. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring urban infrastructure to prevent such unexpected events.