This tragic incident in Seoul highlights the dangers of sinkholes and their potential to cause serious accidents. On Monday evening, a man riding his motorbike in Gangdong district fell into a large sinkhole that had suddenly formed in the road. Despite rescuers finding his body the next morning, about 50 meters underground, the incident underscores the unpredictable nature of sinkholes and the risks they pose to public safety.
The man, in his 30s, has yet to be named by authorities, but the accident has garnered significant attention, particularly due to a viral dashcam video. The video shows the motorcyclist falling into the hole while a car narrowly avoids it. Another car driver was injured in the incident, which adds to the urgency of addressing sinkhole hazards.
The sinkhole was reported to be 20 meters wide and deep, with a mixture of 2,000 tons of soil and water inside it. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the sinkhole, but it’s worth noting that Seoul has experienced 223 sinkhole incidents in the past decade. While sinkholes can naturally form from the erosion of underlying rock (like limestone or chalk), human activities, such as construction or excavation, can sometimes exacerbate the problem.
This is part of a broader global issue, as sinkhole incidents have occurred in other countries, like Japan and Malaysia, with similarly tragic outcomes.
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