A motorcyclist was found dead after vanishing into a massive sinkhole in South Korea’s largest city.
The sinkhole, estimated to be around 65 feet wide and 65 feet deep, opened at an intersection in the Myeongil-dong neighborhood in eastern Seoul on Monday afternoon. The collapse also injured a woman whose van passed over the intersection just before the ground gave way.
Emergency officer Kim Chang Seob identified the victim as a man in his 30s. He was found wearing a helmet and boots, indicating he was fully geared at the time of the accident. It reportedly took almost 18 hours to recover the victim, as emergency responders had to pump out water and dig through dirt and debris to reach him.
According to Reuters, rescuers faced significant challenges in locating the motorcyclist due to the presence of construction equipment and other obstacles. “It took rescuers almost 18 hours to locate the motorcyclist after they had to pump out water and dig through dirt, as well as navigate past construction equipment and other debris,” Kim stated. The exact cause of death has yet to be determined.
Dashboard camera footage captured the moment of the collapse, showing the van’s rear wheels narrowly escaping the hole before the motorcyclist and his bike disappeared into the chasm. The incident has raised concerns about infrastructure stability in the area.
City officials confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the sinkhole. Authorities are examining possible factors, including underground construction activity, soil erosion, and water main failures. Officials have also launched inspections of nearby roads to prevent further incidents.
