A motorcyclist who fell into a massive sinkhole on a Seoul street was found dead after an overnight search, according to South Korean officials Tuesday.
The incident occurred Monday afternoon in the Myeongil-dong area of eastern Seoul, where sinkhole measuring approximately 20 meters in width and depth (66 feet in both dimensions) suddenly opened at an intersection, the Associated Press reported.
The sink hole swallowed the motorcyclist and injured a woman whose van was passing over the site, according to safety and emergency authorities.
According to The Chosun Daily, the victim, identified as 34-year-old Park, was “found dead in a state of cardiac arrest” 18 hours after the incident.
Dashcam footage widely shared online captures the moment the road collapsed near a traffic junction, showing the motorcyclist falling in while a car ahead narrowly avoids it.
Emergency officer Kim Chang Seob confirmed the discovery of the motorcyclist before noon on Tuesday during a televised statement.
The officer noted that the victim was found with his protective gear intact, including helmet and motorcycle boots.
Before discovering him, the search team had located his Japanese motorcycle and mobile phone. Rescuers used excavators, shovels, and other equipment during the operation, Kim added.
Kim also confirmed that the injured woman did not fall into the sinkhole and only sustained minor injuries. The cause of the sinkhole remains under investigation.
Seoul’s Mayor Oh Se-hoon conducted a site inspection Monday night, directing officials to determine the cause and implement preventive measures against future occurrences.
