GOBBLED UP

Giant Sinkhole Swallows Three Cars in the Middle of the Street

The huge hole came within inches of destroying a nearby hospital.

A vast sinkhole, estimated to be 160 feet deep, enveloped a large section of road in Bangkok on Wednesday, swallowing three cars whole and forcing locals to evacuate. Footage of the dramatic moment, believed to have been triggered by the construction of an underground railway, saw the road’s surface slowly subsiding, dragging down electricity poles and water pipes while nearby drivers frantically tried to escape the growing chasm. Although there were no casualties, a tow truck belonging to a nearby police station was claimed by the sinkhole, along with two more vehicles that were unable to escape in time. A hospital that bordered the chasm was left structurally intact, but it announced that it would be closing its outpatient services for two days until the situation was stabilized. Officials have cut off water and electricity in the area to prevent further damage. Bangkok officials say they are working to repair the hole as quickly as possible, due to fears that heavy rainfall caused by the ongoing monsoon season could exacerbate the situation.