Sinkhole in Seoul Nearly Causes Major Disaster: Gas Pipe Exposed

On August 29, a sinkhole in Seoul's Seongnam-ro area caused a vehicle to fall in, injuring the driver and a passenger. 

On August 29, a sinkhole in Seoul's Seongnam-ro area caused a vehicle to fall in, injuring the driver and a passenger. The incident occurred in a location where a city gas pipe was buried, raising fears of a potential major disaster. This blog post details the incident, its causes, and the risks associated with such events.

1. Incident Overview

On the morning of August 29, at 11:26 AM, a sinkhole appeared on Seongnam-ro in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun District, Seoul. The sinkhole measured 6 meters in width, 4 meters in length, and 2.5 meters in depth. A Tivoli vehicle traveling on the road tilted to the left and fell into the hole.

As a result of the incident, the 80-year-old male driver sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. The 70-year-old female passenger was found in a state of cardiac arrest but regained a pulse after receiving CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

2. Potential Gas Leak Crisis Averted

The sinkhole occurred near a buried city gas pipe, raising concerns about a potential gas leak. Fortunately, despite the vehicle coming into contact with the gas pipe, the authorities confirmed that there was no gas leakage. Fire officials stated, “The vehicle made contact with the gas pipe but did not cause any leakage.”

3. Causes of the Sinkhole

Sinkholes are known to occur frequently during heavy rainfall in summer months. The risk increases when a large volume of rain causes a rapid influx of groundwater, particularly when sewer systems are outdated. According to Jo Seong-il, Director of the Rene Disaster Policy Research Institute, “If the sewers are old and defective, the rainwater fills the sewer, causing the surrounding soil to be washed away, leaving only asphalt and resulting in a sinkhole.”

4. Ongoing Investigation

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, along with police and local authorities, are investigating the cause of the sinkhole. They are examining the impact of old sewer systems and nearby construction sites on the incident.

The sinkhole in Seoul’s Seongnam-ro area narrowly avoided becoming a major disaster due to its proximity to a city gas pipe. The incident highlights the urgent need for maintenance and upgrading of outdated infrastructure to prevent such dangerous occurrences. As investigations continue, authorities will work to ensure the safety of public spaces and prevent future sinkholes.