Motorcyclist Falls to Death as Sinkhole Opens on Busy Street in Seoul

In a shocking and tragic incident, a motorcyclist plunged to his death after a massive sinkhole suddenly opened beneath him on a busy street in Seoul. The victim, a 33-year-old man identified by his surname Park, was discovered dead on Tuesday after a grueling 17-hour search operation.

Disturbing dashcam footage captured from a vehicle trailing the motorcyclist shows the horrifying moment he was swallowed by the sinkhole. A white car driving ahead narrowly escaped the same fate, bouncing back onto the road as the driver accelerated just in time. The driver of the car sustained only minor injuries.

Park's body was eventually located in a subway tunnel approximately 164 feet (50 meters) from the center of the sinkhole. The chasm, measuring 65 feet (20 meters) wide and equally deep, appeared suddenly at an intersection in Seoul's Gangdong District. Despite an immediate response from the local fire department, the rescue effort required heavy machinery, including excavators and shovels. Emergency officer Kim Chang Seob confirmed in a televised briefing that Park was found wearing his helmet and motorcycle boots. His Japanese-made motorcycle and mobile phone were discovered before his body was recovered.

The exact cause of the sinkhole remains unclear, but the collapse triggered a burst water pipe, sending water gushing across the scene. According to a recent report by the Seoul city government, 223 sinkholes have appeared across the city in the past decade.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the site on Monday night, urging authorities to investigate the cause and implement measures to prevent similar incidents.

Seoul is not alone in facing the dangers of sudden ground collapses. In Brazil, the city of Buriticupu declared a state of emergency after a massive sinkhole threatened to swallow homes, putting thousands at risk. Shocking images show the earth opening up in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest region.

In England, a giant 65-foot sinkhole forced residents to evacuate after it appeared in the middle of a residential street in Surrey, resembling the aftermath of an earthquake.

Meanwhile, in the United States, a giant sinkhole wreaked havoc on a major highway in New Jersey. The 15-foot-wide crater forced the closure of westbound lanes for months, causing significant disruption.

As sinkholes continue to pose serious safety risks worldwide, authorities are under increasing pressure to find ways to predict and prevent these sudden geological disasters.