In a dramatic incident in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, on March 24, 2025, a large sinkhole near Daemyeong Elementary School has led to serious public safety concerns and a robust response from local authorities. Occurring at approximately 6:29 PM KST, the sinkhole measures around 20 meters in diameter and is reported to be about 20 meters deep, swallowing up four lanes of a six-lane roadway.
The sinkhole incident began when a water pipe burst, leading to flooding in the area, with authorities suspecting that the ongoing construction of the nearby subway line 9 may have contributed to the collapse. Eyewitnesses reported that the ground began to sink prior to the sinkhole's formation, raising alarms among residents.
A motorcyclist who fell into the sinkhole remained unaccounted for as of late that night, with rescue operations ongoing under challenging conditions. According to Kim Chang-seop, an official from the Gangdong Fire Station, "Rescue operations could take dozens of hours due to the amount of soil and water inside the sinkhole." In an arduous effort, 30 rescuers donned diving suits to search for the missing motorcyclist amidst 2000 tons of mixed water and debris.
Traffic around the sinkhole has been severely affected, prompting road closures and a reshuffling of local transit routes. Additionally, a car driver passing through the area shortly before the incident sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital. The area surrounding the incident has become a focal point for public concern, sparking fears of additional collapses.
The local government reacted swiftly to the incident. Oh Se-hoon, the Mayor of Seoul, visited the site hours after the sinkhole emerged and remarked on the gravity of the situation. "The area is expanding, and the interior is submerged due to a broken water pipe," he stated. Mayor Oh assured the public of their commitment to unearthing the cause of this incident and ensuring that similar events are prevented in the future.
As emergency services mobilized, authorities decided to cut off power in the vicinity to prevent any further accidents following reports of explosions associated with high-voltage power lines in the area. Water deliveries to the site were also halted to manage the flooding effectively.
In a move to prioritize safety, Hanyoung Foreign Language High School, located in the vicinity, announced a temporary closure for March 25th, citing concerns for student safety. Local residents have expressed their worries about the integrity of the infrastructure, with one resident stating, "The ground is sinking more and more each day. All nearby apartments lost power, and schools sent children home early."
The sequence of events leading to the sinkhole has raised broader questions about construction practices in the city. With the subway extension project ongoing nearby, many are now calling for a thorough investigation to determine whether it played a role in this disaster. Recent reports indicate that workers at the site had previously noticed leaking water but were not able to address the issue before the collapse occurred.
A small cave-in had been reported earlier in the day near a drainage ditch just hours before the sinkhole formed, illustrating the possible signs of instability that may have been overlooked. Safety precautions and construction protocols are now under scrutiny as officials aim to reinstate public confidence in the city's infrastructure.
As of late into the night, active rescue operations continue, with officials stating that they plan to utilize draining pumps to alleviate the water build-up before making any further movements into the hazardous area. Mayor Oh reiterated their determination, saying, "We will do our utmost to find the cause of this incident so that it doesn't happen again."
This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of infrastructure maintenance and safety in urban environments. The unfolding story of the Gangdong sinkhole will undoubtedly prompt discussions around appropriate measures for preventing similar occurrences in the future, ensuring that the city can safeguard its residents from such unpredictable disasters.
