Shocking moment sinkhole swallows busy Shanghai road as construction workers run for their lives
A massive sinkhole has opened up on a busy street in Shanghai, China, leaving construction workers running for their lives.
The horrifying moment a sinkhole opened up on a busy street in Shanghai, China has been captured on camera.
In CCTV footage that has gone viral on social media, cracks could be seen forming in the road as construction workers observed.
Suddenly, the sinkhole opened up, swallowing the entire pedestrian crossing as witnesses fled for their lives.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.According to Gulf News, the collapse happened at the intersection of Qixin Road and Li’an Road in Shanghai’s Minhang District on the morning of February 12.
Miraculously, local authorities confirmed there was no injuries or fatalities. The area was cordoned off before operations began to clean up the debris.
The collapse reportedly stemmed from a water leak the previous day, caused by nearby underground work on the new Jiamin Metro Line.
Contractors from China Railway Tunnel Group were building the line when they struck groundwater around 10.30am local time on Wednesday, Gulf News reported.
Local media reports that Shanghai is at a greater risk of sinkholes due to its soft alluvial soil, excessive groundwater extraction, and ageing pipes.
In September last year a similar incident occurred, when a massive sinkhole opened up after underground construction work in Thailand.
Part of a road collapsed in Bangkok, leaving a large sinkhole that disrupted traffic, damaged infrastructure and prompted evacuations in the surrounding area.
There were no casualties but three vehicles were damaged by the collapse.
Officials believe it was caused by the ongoing construction of an underground train station.
Videos of the moment show the face of the road slowly sinking down, pulling down several electricity poles and damaging water pipes.
Cars tried to back away as the hole grew larger and completely severed the four-lane road.
One edge of the hole stopped right in front of a police station, exposing its underground structure.
It is believed the sinkhole was nearly 50 metres deep.
