Desk Report:
A 160-foot-wide sinkhole suddenly appeared on a busy road in Thailand, swallowing 3 vehicles.
A sinkhole formed in the Thai capital Bangkok on Wednesday morning, engulfing three vehicles. The incident occurred at around 7am local time on Samsen Road, in front of Bhajira Hospital and Samsen Metropolitan Police Station.
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) said in a statement that the sinkhole was about 30 by 30 metres (98 by 98 feet) wide and 50 metres (160 feet) deep. It is feared that it will widen further.
Two electric poles and a police van initially fell into the hole. According to local media outlet The Nation, two more vehicles later fell into it.
Bhajira Hospital temporarily closed its doors to patients, and a nearby school and residents were evacuated. Parts of the police station were also damaged.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sitthipunt said the sinkhole was caused by construction work on an underground metro station. “It has damaged water and power lines, and emergency work is underway to bring the situation under control,” he said.
The sinkhole has been gradually getting bigger during the rainy season, but there have been no casualties so far. Videos circulating on social media showed the sudden collapse of a busy road and cars trying to back away in panic.
