Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A shocking incident unfolded in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday (March 24, 2025), when a massive sinkhole suddenly opened up in the middle of a busy highway during rush hour. Tragically, a motorcyclist fell into the hole and was killed.
The 20 meters wide sinkhole occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time at a busy intersection in southeastern Seoul.
According to a BBC report on Wednesday (March 26, 2025), widely circulated dashcam footage captured the dramatic moment when the road caved in, forming a deep crater.
In the video, a car narrowly avoided plunging into the hole, escaping danger by mere seconds. However, a motorcyclist traveling just behind the vehicle was not as fortunate and fell directly into the hole.
17-Hour Search and Rescue Operation
Firefighters launched an extensive rescue operation involving divers, search dogs, and emergency crews digging by hand. The effort lasted 17 hours before the missing motorcyclist was located.
“The missing person, a man in his 30s, was found on Tuesday about 50 meters from the sinkhole’s center,” Kim Chang-seop, an official from Gangdong Fire Department, told reporters.
“He was buried about 90 centimeters deep, still wearing his helmet and motorcycle boots,” Kim added.
Emergency responders expressed deep sorrow over the tragic outcome. Meanwhile, the driver of the car involved in the incident sustained only minor injuries and survived.
Investigation Underway
Authorities reported that the sinkhole measured 20 meters wide and equally deep, prompting immediate road closures. Several nearby schools were shut down on Tuesday as a precaution.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation, but officials noted that the site was located near an ongoing underground metro construction project.
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“Construction work may be one of several contributing factors,” a Seoul city spokesperson told AFP. “Once debris and loose soil are removed, we will conduct a thorough investigation alongside expert teams to determine the exact cause.”
Sinkholes of this scale are rare in South Korea, with fewer than 200 cases reported annually. However, the incident highlights growing concerns about urban infrastructure management in major cities.
As similar occurrences become more frequent, Seoul’s city government faces increasing pressure to improve infrastructure maintenance and oversight to prevent future disasters.
(Raidi/Agung)
