Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/ANTHONY WALLACE
Topics: World News, Environment, Korea
Ella Scott
The remains of a motorcyclist who plunged into the depths of a South Korean sinkhole have been found, a representative of a Seoul fire department has confirmed.
On Monday (March 24), a 65ft sinkhole suddenly opened up on a road in front of a 33-year-old man, as per The Korea Herald.
It’s understood the victim, identified only by his surname Park, was riding a motorcycle in the Myeongil-dong neighbourhood area of the city’s Gangdong-gu district when he was sucked into the sinkhole.
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The chasm spanned four lanes of the road near the Hanyoung Foreign Language High School, The South China Morning Post reports.
An 18-hour overnight search ensued for the fallen motorcyclist, with firefighters reportedly being forced to drain a jaw-dropping 430,000 gallons of water that had accumulated inside the crater.
Crews in diving suits and a rescue dog were also called to the scene, the publication states.
Kim Chang-seop, an official from the Gangdong Fire Station, said during a televised briefing that Park’s smartphone and his Japanese-made motorcycle were found before his body at 11.20am on Tuesday (25 March).
“He was buried at a depth of around 90cm and was found intact, still wearing his helmet and motorcycle boots,” he said, as per Reuters. “[We] regret that we are unable to deliver better news”.
Kim also explained that excavators, shovels and other equipment were used to uncover his body due to the mountain of debris.
The cause of the sinkhole is still under investigation. However, the local government said in a statement that construction taking place at a nearby subway line could be one of several ‘possible contributing factors’.
“Once the surrounding soil and debris are cleared, we will conduct a full investigation into the cause of the accident with a team of experts,” the release added.
Dashboard camera footage taken at the scene showed Park traveling behind a car, which bounced as it narrowly cleared the sinkhole, Reuters said.
Following the car, the motorcycle driver plunged into the area.
A woman who was driving a van also passed over the area and was injured, safety and emergency officers told the Associated Press.
However, it was later confirmed by Kim that she didn’t fall into the sinkhole.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has since visited the site of the sinkhole, pleading with authorities to find out why the chasm opened and to prevent recurrences of similar incidents.
It’s also understood the authority has since heightened safety protocols in response to the incident, adding: "We will implement safety measures to prevent possible casualties in the future."