Seoul: A motorcyclist was discovered in cardiac arrest after being swallowed by a substantial sinkhole in the Gangdong Ward of eastern Seoul, officials reported.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the sinkhole, measuring 20 meters wide and 20 meters deep, suddenly emerged at an intersection near an elementary school at 6:29 p.m. on Monday. The incident resulted in the motorcyclist being consumed by the sinkhole and another vehicle driver sustaining injuries as they passed over the affected section shortly before its collapse.
A fire official from Gangdong Ward stated during a press briefing that the motorcyclist, a man in his 30s, was located approximately 50 meters from the sinkhole and was found to be in cardiac arrest at 11:22 a.m. on Tuesday.
Overnight search operations led to the discovery of a mobile phone, believed to belong to the motorcyclist, in the sinkhole at 1:37 a.m., followed by the motorcycle itself approximately two hours later, positioned about 30 meters from the sinkhole's origin.
Search efforts with heavy machinery resumed at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, prioritizing safety concerns. In response to the situation, four local schools, including Seoul Daemyeong Elementary School, Hanyoung Middle and High Schools, and Hanyoung Foreign Language High School, were closed.
Hanyoung Middle and High Schools had informed students and parents the previous night about the water supply cut due to the sinkhole, along with the preemptive gas shutoff, causing difficulties in utilizing school facilities such as bathrooms and the cafeteria.